Seniors Share Top Willamette Swimming Memories prior to NWC Championships

"Swimming at Willamette has taught me many valuable lessons that I will carry through the rest of my life. I'm the person I am today thanks to the wonderful people I have met and the support I have received through the swimming program. Thank you Willamette Swimming for making my four years of college very memorable and a great life-changing experience."

"I remember when I showed up to Willamette's pool deck for the first time, thinking, 'What have I gotten myself into?' I had not planned on joining Willamette's swimming team. However, after meeting some of my future teammates, I thought, 'Why not give it a shot?' After an amazing and challenging four years with the program, I can say with pride that I made it! I have had the opportunity to train alongside, and be trained by, some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I have nothing but love and gratitude for the Willamette swimming program. Thank you for everything."

 Alika Masei (Sr., Salem, OR/West Salem HS)

"What does it mean to be a Willamette swimmer? For me, it has meant being more than just your times, more than a number. To be someone who has a team cheering behind the blocks, there to support you through success and hardship. In each of my teammates I see care, I see love, I see compassion, in and out of the water, and for that I am truly grateful.  Being a Willamette swimmer has meant being able to be vulnerable, to be myself, and that has made all the difference."

 Josh Bumgarner (Sr., Walla Walla, WA/Walla Walla HS) 

"I will always remember my 400 individual medley from my junior year. At conference, I always seem to drop an excessive amount of time compared to the rest of the season. So around came finals, and I swam so hard for that race that I dropped two seconds on my lifetime best, and 20 seconds on my season best. The best part, however, was after the race when I walked back, smiling and confident, to see people's astonished and impressed looks at the blood running down my nose. I had swam so hard I gave myself a bloody nose! I will always remember the feeling of inspiration I gave to my team that day."

"A favorite memory of mine is Hawaiian ping pong, a game that we started playing my sophomore year after we got back from winter training. We cleared out the Kaneko lobby of all chairs and tables, and placed the ping pong table in the middle. Hawaiian pong is game of fast paced excitement, that brings the team together in a way I never anticipated. There is no limit to the amount of people who can play, and everyone has a good time. It involves cunning, betrayal, considerable dexterity and skill, plus much tom-foolery. The game waits for no one, no hands on the table, and two bounces on the serve."

Natalie Viescas (Sr., San Marcos, CA/San Marcos HS)

"Swimming for Willamette has been a fantastic experience! I have learned a lot from both Coach Leslie Shevlin and Coach Brent Summers. Two things that they have said impacted my swimming career. During sets that were difficult, such as my intense butterfly sets, I would repeat Leslie's words of wisdom to put the difficulty in perspective, 'It's just swimming…'. These words helped me to stay calm and to focus. Brent would encourage me to 'Chase her feet!' and would walk down the side of the pool pointing the direction of my swim mate's feet. These phrases not only apply to swimming but to my life. Thank you Coaches for pushing me and showing me that I can achieve my goals."