Featured Senior: Alex Hougan

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

My most memorable moment was breaking the 800-yard freestyle relay record and the NWC Championships in 2019.

Describe your feelings when you found out the athletic events were canceled for the remainder of the year.

I was deeply saddened when I found out athletic events were canceled. I feel for those who lost their seasons to the cancelation.

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not being around your teammates?

I am staying in an off-campus house in Salem. Online learning has required a large adjustment to my study habits. Not being around my teammates has also been tough. It is hard to totally socially distance from some of my best friends.

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

Being a Bearcat has taught me to continue pushing myself to achieve greater and greater things.

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

The most important thing for a new Bearcat to know is how to lean on your teammates and peers ... also to enjoy every last moment of your career.

What are your future plans following graduation?

I am planning on moving to Washington for a gap year then apply for physical therapy school.

From their teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Alex?

Benji Troutman: Alex always hyped us up before every meet, and his speeches will be missed.

Daniel Fang: My most memorable moment with Alex was getting to race him in the 200-yard freestyle at his final conference meet. We had always been so close in time and having such a close race with him in both prelims and finals probably made that 200 freestyle the most fun I have ever had swimming an event.

How has Alex impacted you in your sport or in life?

Benji Troutman: I hope I can be as positive and friendly as Alex.

Daniel Fang: In swimming, Alex has taught me how to stop overthinking my events and really just go for it. In life, he showed me what it's like to really do what you love and give it your all academically and extracurricularly, and yet not let things stress you out.

What makes Alex special?

Benji Troutman: He was someone you can always go to talk to and always had an answer.

Daniel Fang: Alex is special because he cracks the funniest jokes and just has the unbelievable ability to funnel all of the excitement and energy of competition into his events, leading to some incredible times and races.

Is there anything Alex brought to the program that will have a lasting impact?

Benji Troutman: Alex's inspiration

Daniel Fang: I think Alex will leave a legacy of what it means to be a leader, garnering respect without demanding it in the slightest. His jokes and high energy will definitely be missed on the team.