LOS ANGELES - The USC men's swimming team, in its first dual meet of the season, put together a strong showing against defending NCAA champion Texas, leading the Longhorns 151-129, on Friday (Oct. 26) at USC's McDonald's Swim Stadium. The final score will not be official until after the conclusion of the diving competition on Saturday.

The Longhorns, also swam against California's men's team, and led the Bears, 162-116.

The Trojans were led by a pair of double winners, junior Erik Vendt and senior Tamas Kerekjarto . Vendt won the 400y IM (3:53.18) and the 1650y freestyle (15:14.00) while Kerekjarto took first in both the 200y IM (1:48.01) and the 200y butterfly (1:47.29). All four times are NCAA B cuts.

USC's other individual winner was sophomore Klete Keller, who won the 500y free in 4:23.02, also a B cut. The Trojans also won the final relay of the meet, the team of senior Rodrigo Castro, junior Jeff Lee, Keller and Kerekjarto taking the 400y free relay (2:59.84, NCAA B cut).

Other keys to the Trojans' success were Keller and Castro finishing 2-3 in the 200y free, senior Mark Warkentin edging Longhorn Chris Kemp for second in the 500y free and Vendt and Kerekjarto going 2-3 in the 200y breast.

Texas' only double-winner was sophomore Brendan Hansen, who won the 100y breaststroke (55.20) and the 200y breaststroke (1:59.62), both NCAA B cuts. Other Longhorn winners were junior Chris Kemp (1:37.62 in the 200y free, B cut), sophomore Ian Crocker (48.84 in the 100y fly) and senior Tommy Hannan (49.56 in the 100y back).

Cal's winners included freshman Duke Draganja, who won both the 50y free (20.39) and the 100y free (44.43), and sophomore Alex Lim in the 200y backstroke (1:46.90, B cut).

The USC and Texas women's teams square off on Saturday (Oct. 27) at 12:30 p.m. at McDonald's Swim Stadium. That meet is preceded by a 9 a.m. double-distance exhibition meet between the Trojan and Longhorn men's teams that will not be scored.