Pacific Lutheran Swims Past Willamette

By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific Lutheran University swimming teams defeated Willamette University in Northwest Conference action on Saturday, Nov. 13. The Lute women downed the Bearcats, 139-39. The Pacific Lutheran men's team was victorious over Willamette by a final score of 164-24.

Both of the UPS teams improved to 2-0 overall, 2-0 in the NWC. Willamette's women are 1-3 overall, 0-2 in the NWC. The Bearcat men are 0-3 on the season, 0-2 in the NWC.

Sophomores Lauren Ballinger (Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) and Kayla Kosaki (Arlington, WA/Stanwood HS) each won an event for the Bearcats. Ballinger won 100-yard freestyle with a time of 57.22 seconds. She barely edged out second place swimmer Elizabeth Althauser, who finished with a time of 57.83 seconds.

Kosaki captured first place in the 200-yard butterfly. She earned a time of 2:33.95.

Willamette earned a second place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke. Erin Parkinson (Fr., Everson, WA/Ferndale HS) swam a 2:42.89 and finished just over two seconds behind the first place finisher, Rachel Troutt of PLU, who clocked in at 2:40.78.

On the men's side, Ian McGahan (So., Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS) earned a second place finish in the 500-yard freestyle. McGahan completed the event with a time of 6:06.79.

The Bearcats will compete next at the Husky Invite on Dec. 3-5. Teams will compete all day in Seattle, Wash.