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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University received some strong performances from athletes on the men's and women's swimming teams this past weekend as the Bearcats competed at the NWC Sprint Pentathlon on Friday, Nov. 2 and at the NWC Relays on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Two of the Bearcats who provided quality efforts were sophomores Malia Santos (So., Kailua-Kona, HI/Kealakehe HS) and Alex Guffey (So., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS).

Santos led the way at the NWC Sprints by placing high in three events. She took 10th place in the women's 50-yard butterfly in 28.02 seconds, was 11th in the 50-yard backstroke in 30.04 and finished 13th in the 50-yard freestyle in 26.42. Each women's race included 115 to 124 swimmers.

Guffey attained 10th place in the men's 50-yard butterfly at 24.85 seconds and earned 14th place in the 50-yard freestyle at 23.09. He placed 32nd in the 100-yard individual medley and was 36th in the 50-yard backstroke. The men's events featured between 91 and 96 entries.

At the NWC Relays, Guffey was one of three Bearcats who achieved fourth place in the men's 300-meter butterfly relay. Guffey swam the anchor leg to lead the Bearcats to a time of 3:10.86.

Guffey also helped Willamette take fifth place in the men's 900-meter freestyle relay in 10:04.29. As in the 300 butterfly relay, Guffey swam the final leg.

Santos and Guffey both participated on WU's mixed 200-meter freestyle relay, which placed fifth in 1:50.65. Santos completed the third leg of the relay and Guffey followed with the fourth leg.

The Bearcats will open the Northwest Conference dual match season this weekend by hosting Whitworth University and Whitman College at the Willamette University Natatorium. The Bearcats will take on the Pirates on Friday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. (PST). Willamette will battle the Missionaries on Saturday, Nov. 9, starting at 1 p.m.