Puget Sound Defeats Willamette in Swimming

By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- The University of Puget Sound swimming teams defeated Willamette University in Northwest Conference action on Friday, Nov. 12. Puget Sound's women downed the Bearcats, 151-41. The Logger's men team was victorious over Willamette by a final score of 130-26.

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

Erin Parkinson (Fr., Everson, WA/Ferndale HS) won the 1,000-yard freestyle for the Bearcats. She finished with a time of 11:22.17. Second place finisher Tracy Wormwood finished with a time of 11:59.67. Parkinson also captured a second place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:12.84.

Sophomore Lauren Ballinger (Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) captured first place in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:02.82. She just edged second place finisher Ava Williams. Williams posted a time of 2:02.96.

Freshman Chris Whitehead (Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS) earned a first place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke. Whitehead swam a 1:10.64 in the event.

Willamette earned a second place finish in the men's 500-yard freestyle. Ian McGahan (So., Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS) swam a 6:06.46 to finish second. He finished just ahead of teammate Austin Williams (Fr., University Place, WA/Curtis Senior HS). Williams completed the race with a time of 6:06.62.

The Bearcats are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 13 when they host Pacific Lutheran University. The meet will begin at 1 p.m. (PST).