Parkinson and Whitehead Advance to Consolation Finals
GRESHAM, ORE. -- Lauren Ballinger (So., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) of Willamette University took seventh place in the championship final of the 200-yard freestyle at the NWC Championships on Saturday, Feb. 26. Ballinger's time in the finals was 1:59.58.
Ballinger edged out Ava Williams of Puget Sound by 0.68 to secure seventh place. Williams finished eighth in 2:00.26. Christine DeHaven of Whitworth University won the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:56.38.
In the prelims, Ballinger achieved a season-best time of 1:59.07, as she lowered her top time by 2.77 seconds.
Two Bearcats advanced to the consolation finals in their respective events. Erin Parkinson (Fr., Everson, WA/Ferndale HS) placed 13th in the consolation final of the women's 100-yard breaststroke, as she touched out at 1:12.10. Chris Whitehead (Fr., Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS) earned 14th place in the consolation final of the men's 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:05.39.
Whitehead reached the consolation final by placing 15th in the prelims. His preliminary time of 1:50.81 was 2.32 seconds faster than his previous Willamette best. He lowered the time by another 0.42 seconds during the consolation final.
Willamette achieved seventh place in the women's 200-yard medley relay on Saturday night. Swimming for WU in the relay were Kayla Kosaki (So., Hilo, HI/Waiakea HS), Parkinson, Kara Koetje (Jr., Arlington, WA/Stanwood HS) and Ballinger. The University of Puget Sound won the 200 medley relay in 1:48.12.
The Bearcats battled Linfield College for the seventh place finish. WU registered a time of 1:57.67, while the Wildcats placed eighth after clocking in at 1:58.25
At the end the second day, Whitworth continued to lead both the women's team standings and the men's team standings. The Whitworth women had 544 points for a 97-point lead over Puget Sound, which held second place with 447 points. The Bearcat women were eighth with 87 points.
In the men's competition, Whitworth was significantly out in front with 632.5 points. Puget Sound was second with 397 points and Whitman College was third with 337.5 points.
The NWC Championships will continue through Sunday, Feb. 27 at Mount Hood CC.
