Pacific Swimmers Defeat Willamette

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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- The Pacific University swim teams swept a Northwest Conference dual meet from Willamette University on Friday, Jan. 29. Pacific defeated the Bearcats, 113.5 to 76.5 in the women's competition, while the Boxer men downed Willamette, 72-16.

Pacific's women improved to 1-6 overall, 1-6 in the NWC. The Pacific men also moved to 1-6 overall and 1-6 in the conference.

The Willamette women's team fell to 1-5 on the season, 1-5 in the NWCg. The Bearcats are 0-6 overall, 0-6 in the NWC, in men's swimming.

Nicole Koch of Pacific lowered her own school record as she won the 200-yard butterfly for the Boxers in 2:22.47. Kayla Kosaki (Fr., Hilo, HI/Waiakea HS) of Willamette touched out in 2:23.04 to finish less than six-tenths of a second behind Koch. Gwen Schulze (Sr., Silverdale, WA/Central Kitsap HS/Austin College) of WU was third with a time of 2:24.14.

Jenna Larrow (Sr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) led a 1-2 finish for the Bearcats in the women's 1,000-yard freestyle. She won the event by completing the race in 11:38.58. Teammate Hanna Connett (Jr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS placed second in 11:46.87.

Willamette's Lauren Ballinger (Fr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) took first place in the women's 100-yard freestyle. Her winning time was 57.48 seconds. Kristin Favillo from Pacific finished second with a time of 58.04 seconds.

Ballinger tied for second place in the 50-yard freestyle in 26.57 seconds. Cherice Cochrane of Pacific also concluded the sprint in 26.57 seconds. Eileen Bringman won the event for the Boxers by clocking in at 25.57 seconds.

For the Willamette men's team, Ian McGahan (Fr., Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS) won the 1,000-yard freestyle by achieving a time of 12:18.60. He won by more than a minute over James Owen of Pacific, who was timed at 13:28.57.

Willamette will conclude the NWC dual meet season on Saturday, Jan. 30, against Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. Meet time is scheduled for 1 p.m. (PST).