As the Pac-12 Conference era comes to an end after more than a century, we take a look back at the Top 50 moments involving Cal athletics. One of these memorable moments occurred on Feb. 14, 2004, when Natalie Coughlin helped Cal swimming beat Stanford for the first time since 1976. This victory marked the end of Coughlin’s dual-meet career with an impressive record of 61-0.
Natalie Coughlin is a legendary athlete who competed in three Olympics – 2004, ‘08, and ‘12 – and won a total of 12 medals, the most by any female American swimmer at the time. She also won numerous medals at World Championships and Pan Pacific Games, totaling 60 medals on the sport’s biggest stages. Coughlin’s achievements led to her induction into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame.
During her time at Cal, Coughlin won 12 NCAA titles, set multiple records, and earned three national collegiate Swimmer of the Year awards. She was known for breaking world, American, and NCAA records in various events. Additionally, Coughlin achieved an impressive dual-meet record of 61-0 during her time at Cal.
In the historic match against Stanford in 2004, Coughlin contributed significantly to Cal’s victory by winning three individual races and setting NCAA records in two of them. Her leadoff leg on the 400 freestyle relay also set a new collegiate record, helping the Bears secure a narrow win over their rivals with a score of 151-149. This victory was not only a significant moment for Cal swimming but also a testament to Coughlin’s exceptional talent and dedication.
It’s important to note that only achievements that occurred during the athlete’s time at Cal were considered for the Top 50 moments list. Leslie Mitchell of the Cal Bears History Twitter site assisted in selecting these memorable events.
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