Willamette Swimming Announces Recruiting Class for 2016-17 Season

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University men's and women's swimming Head Coach Leslie Shevlin has announced the Bearcats' recruiting class for the 2016-17 season. The Bearcats are adding four women and five men to the swimming rosters.

This past year, Willamette placed sixth in the NWC in women's swimming and sixth in men's swimming. The Bearcats set seven school records during the 2016 NWC Championships. Six Willamette swimmers earned All-NWC honors.

Here is the 2016-17 recruiting class for the Willamette swimming teams:

Women's Team

Jamie Beers (Fr., Seattle, WA/Ingraham HS)

Beers will swim breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley events for the Bearcats.

"Jamie is one of the nicest people we could ever add to our Bearcat family," Shevlin said. "In the pool, she will bring much needed depth to our butterfly events and allow us to grow the strength of our individual medley group."

Mikayla Costello (Fr., Nipomo, CA/Nipomo HS)

Costello is set to swim sprint freestyle events at Willamette.

"One of the biggest aspects of the Bearcat Swimming culture is a positive attitude. Mikayla will step on deck as a freshman and bring the positive attitude that we want," Shevlin commented.

Niki Kates (Fr., Truckee, CA/Forest Charter School)

Kates will swim backstroke for the Bearcats. She was a National Merit Scholarship candidate at Forest Charter School, where she also served as a team captain.

"We are very excited to add Niki to our program," Shevlin said. "She is going to add great depth in our backstroke events and will help the women get a few more wins. Niki is also a very energetic and happy person. We will be glad to have her on deck each day."

Jensine Ramussen (Fr., Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS)

Rasmussen will enter backstroke events for Willamette. She also will swim individual medley events.

"Jensine comes form a program with a long swimming history," Shevlin noted. "She will be a great addition to our swimming family and we are happy to have her as a Bearcat in the fall."

Men's Team

Callan Beaver (Fr., Moraga, CA/Campolindo HS)

Beaver is slated to swim in breaststroke and sprint freestyle races at Willamette. He was a four-time NCA Scholar-Athlete while attending Camplindo High School in Moraga, California.

"We are excited to have Callan joining our Bearcat swimming family," Shevlin said. "He will bring much needed depth to our breaststroke and freestyle events. he also brings a sense of humor to the team, which you have to have when you swim over a black line for two hours a day."

Colin Hakeman (Fr., Bellingham, WA/Seahone HS)

Hakeman will compete as a distance freestyle swimmer for the Bearcats.

"Colin is coming to our program from one of the better club teams in the State of Washington," Shevlin noted. "He has a terrific work ethic and will be able to contribute to our distance program immediately."

Ben Hedman (Fr., Davis, CA/Davis HS)

Hedman is set to participate in multiple events at WU. He will swim in the individual medley, butterfly and breaststroke races. He qualified for CIF competition in high school, and also served as a team captain. He was named Most Improved Swimmer at Davis High School as a freshman.

"Ben has high-level swimming experience and team leadership experience," Shevlin said. "We are happy to have him join our Bearcat family because he is invested in becoming a Bearcat."

Alex Hougan (Fr., Olympia, WA/Olympia HS)

Hougan is a middle distance freestyle swimmer. He was a co-captain on his team at Olympia High School in the State of Washington.

"Willamette swimming is proud to welcome Alex and his family to our program," Shevlin commented. "He fit in with our men's swimmers right away, and they are excited to have his energy in the pool each day."

Derek Ludwig (Fr., Moraga, CA/Campolindo HS)

Ludwin will compete in the butterfly and individual medley events for the Bearcats. He was an NCS qualifier and earned NCS-CIF Scholar-Athlete honors. He also was a Diablo Foothill Athletic League finalist.

"The Bearcat swimming team is happy to add Derek to the roster," Shevlin noted. "He embodies what we want in a Bearcat swimmer. He will be a strong competitive force for our men's team. He values his academics to a high degree. We cannot wait to have Derek as a Bearcat."