Pacific Lutheran Outscores Willamette in Swimming

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

TACOMA, WASH. -- Pacific Lutheran University remained undefeated in dual matches as the Lutes defeated Willamette University in men's and women's swimming on Saturday, Nov. 12. The Lutes won the men's portion of the competition, 152-40. Pacific Lutheran prevailed in the women's half of the meet, 150-48.

The PLU men's team improved to 3-0 overall, 2-0 in the Northwest Conference, while Willamette dropped to 0-2, 0-2 in the NWC.

The Lutes also improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the NWC in women's swimming. The Bearcat women's team fell to 0-2 overall, 0-2 in the NWC.

Erin Parkinson (So., Everson, WA/Ferndale HS) led the Willamette women by winning three individual events. She took first place in the 1,000-yard freestyle, the 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke.

In the 1,000 freestyle, Parkinson registered a time 11:36.34 to win by 38.53 seconds. Parkinson won the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:42.48, as he held off Emma Thompson of PLU by more than six seconds. Thompson finished second in 5:48.94.

Parkinson completed her three-event sweep with a time of 1:15.14 in the 100-yard breaststroke. Despite swimming the two longest races in the meet, she was still able to keep a slim lead on Jacqui Gutierrez, who took second place in 1:15.68.

"Erin had a great day of racing," WU Head Coach Leslie Shevlin said.

For the Willamette men's team, Sean Piper (Fr., Normandy Park, WA/John F. Kennedy HS) won the 100-yard backstroke and took second place in the 400-yard individual medley. Piper was victorious in the 100 backstroke with a time of 57.52 seconds. He finished well in front of Ramy Carter of PLU, who placed second in 1:03.25.

In the 400 I.M., Piper trailed only Andre Tacuya of Pacific Lutheran. Tacuya won the race in 4:34.62, while Piper finished next in 4:37.04

"Sean continues to strive to be one of the best backstrokers in the NWC," Shevlin noted. "He took a big step today with his win in the 100 back."

Also for the Willamette, Zander Le Bel (Fr., Dallas, TX/Richardson HS) finished second in the men's 1,000-yard freestyle in 11:08.15. Carter of PLU won the race with a time of 10:52.43.

For Shevlin, the overall effort of the Bearcats was outstanding.

"The team is working through some of the hardest conditioning we have ever done," Shevlin said. "They swam through the tiredness of training and did a great job today."

Six different Pacific Lutheran swimmers earned a victory in one of the women's races. In the men's races, eight swimmers from PLU won individual events.

In the sprint freestyle events, Kristin Nueneker and Chase Mesford from PLU each recorded a win for the Lutes. Nueneker won the women's 50-yard freestyle in 26.31 seconds and Mesford took first place in the men's 50-yard freestyle in 22.42 seconds.

Willamette will return to action on Friday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Northwest Invitational. The meet will be hosted by Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore.