Puget Sound Defeats Willamette in Swimming

By John Lind, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- The University of Puget Sound defeated Willamette University in men's and women's swimming on Friday, Nov. 9 at the WU Natatorium. The Loggers downed the Bearcat women's team, 138-62, and also won the men's competition, 130-72.

UPS remained undefeated in men's swimming at 4-0 overall, 3-0 in the Northwest Conference. The Loggers moved to 3-1 in the women's swimming, including 2-1 in the NWC. Both Willamette teams dropped to 0-3 overall, 0-3 in the NWC.

The Bearcats experienced some individual success, winning several events against the Loggers. Alex Guffey (Fr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) had an impressive day for Willamette, winning the men's 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:49.30. Guffey beat out second place Keven Henley of UPS by 1.39 seconds. Guffey also placed third in the men's 500-yard freestyle.

Malia Santos (Fr., Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS) was a winner in two events for the women's team. Santos took first place in the women's 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26.07 seconds, and also won the women's 100-yard butterfly in a time of 1:03.52.

Andrew Lum (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) swam to first place in the men's 100-yard butterfly with a time of 55.42 seconds. Lum finished 1.49 seconds ahead of second place finisher Zach Walker from UPS, who was timed at 56.91 seconds.

Hope Nelson (So., Providence, RI/South Kingston HS) earned second place finishes in two events for the Bearcats.

Nelson clocked a time of 57.96 seconds in the women's 100-yard freestyle and registered 5:51.83 in the women's 500-yard freestyle. Melissa Norrish of Puget Sound won the 100 free in 56.86 seconds, while Brianna Greenwood won for the Loggers in the 500 free in 5:45.97.

Chris Whitehead (Jr., Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS) took first place in the men's 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:06.91. He edged out Walker by just 0.04 seconds.

Sean Piper (So., Normandy Park, WA/John F. Kennedy HS) was the other individual to win an event for the men's team. His time of 58.36 seconds in the 100-yard backstroke was good for first place. Piper easily beat UPS's Jared Fisk, who finished second with a time of 1:01.07.

The Bearcats will continue with another swim meet on Saturday, Nov. 10, against Northwest Conference rival Pacific Lutheran University.