Ballinger, Schulze, Larrow Reach Consolation Finals at NWC Swimming

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

FEDERAL WAY, WASH. -- Willamette University swimmers Lauren Ballinger, Gwen Schulze and Jenna Larrow advanced to the consolation finals on the first day of the Northwest Conference Championships at the King County Aquatic Center on Friday, Feb. 12. Consolation finals in today's events are being held tonight. Action will continue with additional events on Saturday and Sunday.

During the preliminary round on Friday morning, Ballinger (Fr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) placed ninth in the women's 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.56 seconds.

Ballenger's time was nearly a second off her seed time of 26.45 seconds. She finished just 0.04 out of the championship final, as Hally Roberts from the University of Puget Sound gained the last spot in eighth place at 25.52 seconds.

Schulze (Sr., Silverdale, WA/Central Kitsap HS/Austin College) placed 10th in the women's 200-yard individual medley. She recorded a time of 2:18.05.

Larrow (Sr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) reached the consolation final by finishing 16th in the 500-yard freestyle. Her time was 5:32.82, as she locked down the final spot in the "B" Final by 1.73 seconds over 17th place. Larrow barely missed finishing 15th in the prelims, a spot that was taken by Katie Main of Linfield in 5:32.76.