Cal women's swimming

If Cal was a nation, it would have placed third in this summer’s Olympic swimming medal count. The pool is definitely Bear territory. The London 2012 Summer Olympics brought together more than 10,000 athletes competing in 302 events across a little over two weeks. Cal athletes represented 18 separate nations, from China to Brazil to Iceland.

Over the course of 18 days in London, Cal’s 38 Olympians won 17 medals in six sports — 11 of which were gold, finishing off a record-tying fortnight with arguably the greatest Olympic performance in school history and one of the greatest showings of any sports institution in America. Cal’s Olympians continue to improve on their showing at each summer Games.

Cal won 17 medals at the London Olympics, but what if it turns out that number increases? What if Cal actually won 22 medals — 15 golds — and we didn’t even realize what was going on? What if the London Olympics really solidified Cal as the No. 1 school at which to be an Olympic athlete — instead of No. 2 or 3 — blowing Stanford, USC and every other American school out of the water? What if Missy Franklin comes to Cal?

Besides Elsie Windes and Heather Petri, who took down Italy, 9-6, no other Calympians were in action on Sunday. The dearth of Cal athletes in action provides a rare opportunity for fans to sit down and contextualize Cal’s accomplishments from the first week.

An array of former, current and future Cal men’s swimmers will compete for a trip to London this summer as a part of USA Swimming’s contingent at the 2012 Olympic Games. While most of the 32 Bears competing will return from the trials in Omaha, Neb. from June 25 to July 2 without advancing to the Olympics, a few members have their sights set on London.

The last year was a memorable one in Cal athletics for a variety of moments. From softball’s run to the Women’s College World Series to the national titles for both swim teams, there were more great moments than we could fit. Read on to see which ones made our list.