Bearcats to Host Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran in Swimming

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University will host University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University in Northwest Conference swimming meets this weekend. The Bearcats will take on the Loggers on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. (PST), and will swim against the Lutes on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m.

The men's and women's teams from Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran are 2-0 on the season and 2-0 in the NWC. The Bearcat men's and women's teams are 0-2 overall and 0-2 in the NWC after taking on traditional powers Whitworth University and Whitman College last weekend.

Cassie Tallman (Fr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) from the Willamette women's team and Mark Yuvienco (Fr., San Jose, CA/Bellarmine College Prep) from the Bearcat men's team were nominated for NWC Student-Athlete of the Week recognition for their efforts against the Pirates and the Missionaries.

Tallman won the 200-yard individual medley and the 200-yard breaststroke against Whitman. Her time in the 200 I.M. was 2:16.02 and her time in the 200 breaststroke was 2:31.36. Against Whitworth she was second in the 400-yard individual medley at 4:47.77 and took third in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:12.42.

She also swam on the 200-yard medley relay versus Whitworth and competed on the 400-yard freestyle relay against Whitman. The 400 free relay finished second in 3:51.48 in the race against the Missionaries. Whitman won by just 2.06 seconds in 3:49.42.

Yuvienco placed first in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:54.14 against Whitman and took second place in the 200-yard butterfly in 1:59.19 against the Missionaries. He was second in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:20.32 versus Whitworth and placed second in the 100-yard butterfly in 54.75 seconds against the Pirates. He also swam on a relay team during each meet.