By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University senior runner Hannah Swanson (Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) has been named the Northwest Conference Women's Track Student-Athlete of the Week after winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the Willamette vs. Corban Dual on Thursday, March 15.

In the past, Swanson has participated in the NCAA Championships in the 1,500-meter run as well as in cross country, but she was competing in the steeplechase for the first time last week. She won the event in 10:49.91 for the fastest time so far this season in NCAA Division III. Swanson also moved into fifth place on Willamette's all-time list in the steeplechase.

Swanson won the race by 54.90 seconds over Hannah Clarizio from Corban. Clarizio took second place with a time of 11:44.81.

The Bearcat track and field teams will be hosting the Willamette Invitational on Saturday, March 24. Field events are schedules to begin at 9:30 a.m. (PDT). Running events at Charles Bowles Track will start at 11:30 a.m.