Whitman Downs Bearcats in NWC Swimming

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

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Whitman College defeated Willamette University in men's and women's swimming on Saturday, Jan. 15 in Walla Walla, Wash. The Missionaries won the women's competition, 119-50, and were victorious in the men's competition, 107-47.

The Whitman women improved to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the Northwest Conference, while the Willamette women fell to 1-5 overall, 0-4 in the NWC. Whitman's men lifted their record to 4-0 on the season, 4-0 in the NWC. Willamette's men dropped to 0-5 overall, 0-4 in the NWC.

Erin Parkinson (Fr., Everson, WA/Ferndale HS) of Willamette won the second women's event on the schedule, the 1,650 freestyle. She completed the 66 lengths of the pool in 19:38.55 to win by more than a minute over Rebecca Ryle of Whitman, who took second at 20:47.86.

WU also received a victory from Lauren Ballinger (So., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) in the next women's event, which was the 200-yard freestyle. Ballinger won the race for the Bearcats with a time of 2:02.66, while Helen Jenne place second in 2:04.90 for the Missionaries.

Later on, Jenne edged out Ballinger for first place in the 100-yard freestyle. Jenne clocked in at 56.51 seconds to win by 0.05, as Ballinger finished in 56.56 seconds.

Keller Hawkins from Whitman won two individual events. She took first place in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26.41 seconds and also triumphed in the 200-yard backstroke at 2:22.18.

Ian McGahan (So., Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS) of the Willamette men's team, earned third place in the 200-yard butterfly. He was timed at 2:29.02.

The Missionaries received two wins from Jamie Nusse, who placed first in both of the men's sprint freestyle races. Nusse took first in the 50-yard freestyle in 22.49 seconds. He won the 100-yard freestyle by earning a time of 49.77 seconds.

Whitman swam exhibition in several of the final races.

Willamette will return to action on Friday, Jan. 28 with an NWC dual meet at Pacific University. Meet time in Forest Grove, Ore., is set for 6 p.m. (PST).