Swimming Competes at Husky Invitational

By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

FEDERAL WAY, WASH. -- The Willamette University swimming team competed at the 62nd Annual Husky Invitational on Friday, Dec. 3 at the Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center. There are seven NCAA schools competing at the Invitational and 20 USA Swimming Club teams. Northwest Conference opponents Lewis & Clark College, the University of Puget Sound, Whitman College and Whitworth University are all competing at the Invite.

The women's 200-yard freestyle relay finished seventh in the prelims. Kayla Kosaki (So., Hilo, HI/Waiakea HS), Erin Parkinson (Fr., Everson, WA/Ferndale HS), Chelsea Ibarra (Sr., Santa Cruz, CA/Georgiana Bruce Kirby Prep) and Lauren Ballinger (So., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) finished the event in 1:47.50.

The same group of four teamed up to compete in the 400-yard medley relay. The team finished seventh in the prelims with a time of 4:40.37.

Parkinson and Ballinger each swam in the 500-yard freestyle. Parkinson finished 41st with a time of 5:32.19. Ballinger touched the wall at 5:39.07 to finish in 46th place.

Ballinger also competed in the 50-yard freestyle. The sophomore finished in 68th place with a time of 26.17.

On the men's side, three Willamette swimmers competed in the 500-yard freestyle. Chris Whitehead (Fr., Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS) swam to a 53rd place finish with a time of 5:40.01. Ian McGahan (So., Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS) finished 54th. McGahan touched the wall at 5:52.22. Austin Williams (Fr., University Place, WA/Curtis Senior HS) finished 55th with a time of 6:02.

The Bearcats will continue to compete at the Husky Invitational on Dec. 4th and 5th.