It’s not often that teams train alongside their opponent.

But this week, the Bruins did just that – thanks to the camaraderie they have with their former Pac-12 rivals.

No. 24 UCLA swim and dive (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten) travelled to the Bay Area this week ahead of showdowns against No. 3 Stanford on Friday and No. 10 California on Saturday. But before the meets, UCLA resumed practices at Stanford’s facilities after devastating fires spreading across the Los Angeles area impacted the Bruins’ ability to train in Westwood.

“Stanford found us pool time during every window of time we needed,” said coach Jordan Cordry. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank those people enough.”

While an evacuation order was never issued for the UCLA campus, a warning was sent for the area directly bordering the northwestern edge of campus. The proximity of evacuation notices coupled with the transition to online learning for the week prompted many members of the team to relocate to safer parts of the region.

“Everyone after the (meet Saturday) was kind of dispersed and then we all decided to come together as a team, which was like a huge pull from (coach Cordry),” said senior Riley Dix. “Numerous people helped us get out here.”

Both Cal and Stanford reached out to UCLA over the weekend offering up their training facilities. The Bruins – who train in an outdoor pool back home – faced potentially unhealthy air in addition to the looming possibility of an evacuation warning.

“I’m proud to be in the Big Ten,” Cordry said. “But I also really want to recognize that our historic Pac-12 relationships really came through to look out for us this year.”

In addition to the athletic resources they provided, Stanford also extended academic assistance to UCLA student-athletes, opening up space in their student center for the team to attend Zoom classes.

The Cardinals’ and Golden Bears’ offers to host the Bruins for the week provided more than a space to train – it allowed the team to come together during a challenging time for the Los Angeles community. A number of UCLA faculty and students lost their homes in the fires, including a member of UCLA’s diving squad.

“(Coach Cordry) reminded us all that during this hectic and crazy time that’s unpredictable and terrifying and incredibly sad, that we are so lucky and fortunate to have these resources,” Dix said. “We are lucky to have this opportunity to come out to Northern California early, and have all the people who have helped us along the way.”

When UCLA held a team meeting ahead of their first practice up north, it discussed how to move past Saturday’s loss to Utah and succeed in its performances against Stanford and Cal.

“We just got to keep the momentum up and take that disappointment and get better,” said senior Paige MacEachern.

The Bruins are 3-21 against the Cardinals – a team that has consistently been one of the best in the nation – since 1999.

One of Stanford’s key players is three-time Olympic gold medalist Torri Huske, who was named Female Athlete of the Year at USA Swimming’s The Golden Goggles in 2024.

But the Cardinals’ success isn’t only manifested in their star talents – their depth makes them a threat to almost any squad nationally. At its last tri-meet against Cal and No. 18 Arizona State, Stanford came home with wins in 14 of the 18 races.

Stanford’s crosstown foes don’t promise an easy route to victory, either.

Cal boasts a dominant 25-1 record against UCLA all-time. In fact, the only time the Bruins bested the Golden Bears was when they faced off for the first time in 1999. Last year, however, UCLA trailed Cal by just 11 points – the smallest deficit in the last two decades.

“I don’t know that (these are) winnable meets, but I know that we can come out with wins,” Cordry said. “Those wins are competing full heartedly, being our absolute best and finding some new best for us.”

The depth within the Bruins’ breaststroke squad has been a strong point this year. In addition, Cordry cited both the 200- and 400-yard individual medleys and the 200-yard medley relay as events that UCLA pose a threat in.

“Just trying to win in the places we can win,” MacEachern said. “And hopefully take some first places away from what (California and Stanford) think they can get some scoring spots in.”

UCLA’s entire roster will be attending both dual meets. Backed by their whole program, Cordry said the Bruins are ready to show what they are capable of.

“I don’t think there’s a brand that represents LA more than UCLA does,” Cordry said. “So it’s our job to send a message to the world that’s watching us that we’re resilient and tough.”

Action against Stanford will begin 2 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday at Cal. Races will be streamed on ACC Network.