Willamette Swimming Holds Winter Training in San Diego

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University swimming teams held their annual Winter Training in San Diego, Calif. on Jan. 3-8. It was a great time for improving skills, taking on challenging tasks and having fun.

Willamette competed in two meets during the trip, as the women's team took on University of Alaska-Fairbanks on Jan. 6 and the men's team swam against University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Jan. 7. The Bearcat men's team won the 400-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay against UW-Eau Claire.

During their time in San Diego, the Willamette swimmers also participated in mental toughness and physical training with the U.S. Navy Seals alongside Westminster College (Pa.). In addition, the Bearcats held their sixth annual Beach Olympics on the morning of Jan. 8.

"Everyone made it through happy and healthy," Head Coach Leslie Shevlin said regarding the trip to San Diego. "We had two great swim meets and now know what to focus on with the Oregon schools and the conference meet coming up. We are ready to take on the spring."

Shevlin was pleased that the Bearcats had a chance to work with the Navy Seals.

"The afternoon spent with the Navy Seals was a once in a lifetime opportunity," Shevlin noted. "We learned tactics for mental toughness at practices and for meets. The physical part was unbelievable. The swimmers got really into it and were crawling in the sand and carrying a 300-pound log around. A special thanks to Danny James, a swimming alumnus, for joining us."

After returning from San Diego, the Bearcats defeated Southwestern Oregon Community College in an exhibition meet at the WU Natatorium on Saturday, Jan. 10. The Willamette men's team won 180.5-63.5, while the Bearcat women's team was victorious 177-24.

Mark Yuvienco (Fr., San Jose, CA/Bellarmine College Prep) won three individual events for the Willamette men's team. He took first place in the 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley. Yuvienco also helped the Bearcats win the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Alika Masei (So., Salem, OR/West Salem HS) placed first in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard backstroke.

Shelby Merrill (So., Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) was the winner in the 1,000-yard freestyle. Jason Bayang (So., Waihawa, HI/Hoala School) won the 100-yard breaststroke, Reuben White (Fr., Portland, OR/Westview HS) was first in the 100-yard freestyle and Dan Aki (So., Union City, CA/James Logan HS) was victorious in the 100-yard butterfly.

In addition to winning the 400-yard freestyle relay, Willamette's men also won the 200-yard medley relay.

The Willamette women's team received two wins each from several swimmers. Claiming two wins were Michaela Zuber (Jr., Sacramento, CA/Sheldon HS), Cassie Tallman (Fr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS), Malia Santos (Jr., Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS) and Kate Harvey (Fr., Atlantic Beach, FL/Duncan Fletcher HS).

Zuber was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard backstroke. Tallman won the 100-yard breaststroke and took first in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Santos finished first in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. Harvey was the winner in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle.

Leah Freeborn (Jr., Federal Way, WA/Todd Beamer HS) won the 200-yard individual medley, while Jamie Johnson (Fr., Seattle, WA/Nathan Hale HS) took first in the 100-yard freestyle. The Bearcat women's team won the 200-yard medley relay also earned first place in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Willamette's next competition will be on Friday, Jan. 23, when the Bearcats will face Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. The action is set to begin at 6 p.m. (PST). The Bearcats will host Lewis & Clark College at the WU Natatorium on Saturday, Jan. 24, starting at 1 p.m. (PST).