Whitworth Defeats Willamette in Dual Match Opener for Swimming

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Whitworth University defeated Willamette University in men's and women's swimming on Friday, Nov. 8 at the WU Natatorium, as the Pirates and the Bearcats opened the 2013-14 dual match season.

The Pirates won the men's competition, 137-60, and outscored the Bearcats in the women's races, 144-56.

Both of Whitworth's teams moved to 1-0 in dual matches and 1-0 in the Northwest Conference. The Pirates have won 11 consecutive NWC titles in men's swimming and have claimed three of the last four NWC championships in women's swimming. Willamette's teams fell to 0-1 on the season, 0-1 in the NWC.

For Willamette, Alex Guffey (So., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) and Malia Santos (So., Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS) each won an event.

Guffey took first place in the men's 200-yard freestyle, as he completed the race in 1:50.41 to win by nearly two full seconds. Matthew Brody was second for the Pirates in 1:52.37.

Santos prevailed in the women's 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26.65 seconds, 0.60 in front of Taylor Burnight from Whitworth, who placed second at 27.25 seconds. Lindsay Clark (So., Juneau, AK/Juneau-Douglas HS) of Willamette was third at 27.35.

One swimmer from each of Whitworth's teams won two events.

Alisa Stang finished first in the women's 200-yard freestyle in 2:02.44 and also won the 100-yard freestyle in 56.32 seconds. Brandon Smith triumphed in the men's 1,000-yard freestyle as he recorded a time of 10:11.99 and took first place in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:58.59.

In addition, Wesley Tatum of Whitworth held off Dan Aki (Fr., Union City, CA/James Logan HS) of Willamette in the men's 200-yard butterfly. Tatum touched out at 2:04.16, while Aki finished second at 2:06.17. Tatum held just a 0.74 advantage heading into the final 50 yards.

The men's 200-yard backstroke was even closer, with Jackie Beal of the Pirates outlasting Alika Masei (Fr., Salem, OR/West Salem HS) by 1.42 seconds. Beal registered a time of 2:02.35 and Masei was timed at 2:03.77. The race was a virtual tie after the first three laps, but Beal pulled in front during the final lap.

For the Willamette women's team, Erin Parkinson (Sr., Everson, WA/Ferndale HS) took second in the 500-yard freestyle at 5:40.04, while Hope Nelson (Jr., Providence, RI/South Kingstown HS) placed second in the 1,000-yard freestyle at 11:49.72. Nelson was just 10 seconds behind the winner, Heather Spall of Whitworth, in the 40-length race.

Willamette will compete at the WU Natatorium again on Saturday, Nov. 9, against Whitman College. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (PST).