2025 MINNESOTA INVITE
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The opening day of the 2025 Minnesota Invite gets underway this morning with preliminary heats in the 500 free, 200 IM and 50 free for both men and women.
Headlining the action this morning will be the Cal freshmen duo of Claire Weinstein and Ryan erisman, who come into the day seeded 1st in the women’s and men’s 500 free events.
Weinstein, the sixth-fastest female of all-time in the 500 free with her best time of 4:29.38 from 2023,currently ranks 10th in the country with the 4:37.14 she produced at the Triton Invitational in early October, but by tonight, she could easily take over the top time in the NCAA, which currently sits at 4:32.92 from Texas’ jillian Cox.
Erisman, who was 3rd in the men’s 400 free at the 2025 U.S. National Championships, ranks 27th in the country in the 500 free with his time of 4:15.50 from the Triton Invitational, exactly one second shy of his lifetime best set last December at Winter Juniors (4:14.50).
We’ll see another Cal freshman, teagan O’Dell, lead the way in the women’s 200 IM, while fellow Golden Bear Humberto Najera is the top seed in the men’s 200 IM.
In the 50 free, its Cal sophomore Mary-Ambre Moluh pacing the field, while in the men’s race, it’s UNLV’s Bryson huey coming in with the top time.
WOMEN’S 500 FREE – PRELIMS
* NCAA Record: 4:24.06, Katie Ledecky (Stanford) – 2017
* 2026 NCAA Qualifying Time: 4:43.70
* 2025 NCAA Invite Time: 4:39.47
‘A’ Final Qualifiers:
- Claire Weinstein (CAL), 4:39.37
- Ella Cosgrove (CAL), 4:41.98
- Carolina Daher (HARV), 4:44.28
- Alexa McDevitt (CAL), 4:44.45
- Kathryn Hazle (CAL), 4:44.56
- Camille Henveaux (CAL), 4:44.90
- Katie McCarthy (MINN), 4:45.58
- Alexandra Bastone (HARV), 4:45.76
Freshman Claire Weinstein leads a group of six Cal women into tonight’s ‘A’ final of the 500 free after cruising to the top time of the morning in 4:39.37.
Weinstein, who owns a season-best of 4:37.14 from early October, coasted to the top time in the fourth and final heat, while teammates Alexa McDevitt and Kathryn Hazle went 2-3 in the heat in respective times of 4:44.45 and 4:44.56, advancing 4-5 into the final. The swim for McDevitt marked a new PB, lowering her 4:45.52 mark.
Cal Swimmers Dominate 200 IM Prelims
Cal freshman Mia West led the way in the women’s 200 IM prelims, clocking a time of 1:55.25 – five one-hundredths of a second faster than her previous best.
West’s Splits: 24.19/28.88/34.39/27.79
The swim elevates West to 10th in the NCAA this season. Harvard’s Kiley Wilhelm qualified 2nd overall in 1:57.70, while Cal teammates ava Chavez (1:57.79), Teagan O’Dell (1:58.19), and Elle Scott (1:58.28) rounded out the top five.
MEN’S 200 IM – PRELIMS
NCAA Record: 1:36.34, Leon Marchand (ASU) – 2023
2026 NCAA Qualifying time: 1:44.13
2025 NCAA Invite Time: 1:42.65
A trio of Cal freshmen also topped the men’s 200 IM prelims, led by Kenneth Barnicle in 1:45.42 – a new season-best.
Danish first-year Casper Puggaard set a personal best of 1:46.15 to qualify 2nd, and Caiden Bowers established a new lifetime best of 1:46.18 to secure 3rd.
Women’s 200 IM Prelims Results:
* Kiley Wilhelm (HARV), 1:57.70
* Ava Chavez (CAL), 1:57.79
* Teagan O’Dell (CAL), 1:58.19
* Elle scott (CAL), 1:58.28
* Grace Drabot (MINN), 2:00.02
* Ana Hazlehurst (RU), 2:00.41
* Aliana Marakovic (HARV), 2:00.45
Men’s 200 IM Prelims Results:
* Kenneth Barnicle (CAL), 1:45.42
* Casper Puggaard (CAL), 1:46.15
* Caiden Bowers (CAL), 1:46.18
* Adriano Arioti (HARV), 1:47.10
* Joe Polyak (MINN), 1:47.15
* John Watson (MINN), 1:47.21
* Ian Belflower (UNLV), 1:47.27
* Ryan Slonac (MINN), 1:47.30
Athletes Qualify for Final with Personal Bests
Several athletes achieved personal bests while qualifying for the final round of a track and field event,with strong performances from the top seeds and emerging talents. The competition saw notable improvements from athletes across multiple schools and countries.
Top Seeds Advance
The top seed entered the competition and delivered a standout performance, securing a spot in the final with a lifetime best time of 19.12 seconds. this improved upon his previous personal record of 19.23 seconds, set in Febuary 2024.
Cal Dominates Qualifying
Cal fifth-year athlete Evan petty secured the 3rd seed for the final,clocking a time of 19.24 seconds. This performance also marked a personal best for Petty, surpassing his previous record of 19.36 seconds.The Golden Bears demonstrated significant strength in the event, claiming six of the eight qualifying spots. https://calbears.com/ (This link directs to the Cal Athletics website, as the text mentions Cal athletes.)
International Talent Shines
German freshman Martin Wrede also advanced to the final, achieving a significant personal best of 19.31 seconds. This represents a substantial advancement from his earlier time of 19.78 seconds, recorded in early November.
Looking Ahead
The final promises to be a competitive race, featuring athletes who have demonstrated significant improvements in their recent performances. The competition will be a showcase of speed and athleticism, with athletes aiming to further push their limits.