Mater Dei senior Melissa Bates, certainly a key member of an outstanding recruiting class of female swimmers in Orange County this year, is headed to the Pac-10 Conference.

Orange County’s record-holder in the 100-yard breaststroke has committed to reigning NCAA champion Cal, she said Wednesday.

The former CIF champion is a huge get for the Golden Bears. Bates is one of the county’s most versatile swimmers and could help Cal on relays. Her best stroke is the breaststroke but she is emerging as an accomplished IMer (individual medley). Bates also has plenty of speed in the freestyles.

Last year at the Division I finals, Bates took second in the 200 IM (2:01.39) and second in the breaststroke (1:02.43.)

As a sophomore, she won the Division I title in the breaststroke in a county-record 1:01.60. She also won the Division I crown in the breaststroke as a freshman.

A hard trainer and competitive racer, Bates is a big addition to a Cal recruiting class that also includes Edison’s Cindy Tran.

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