By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University swimmer Alika Masei (Jr., Salem, OR/West Salem HS) has been chosen by CollegeSwimming.com as the Northwest Conference Men's Swimmer of the Week for the week ending on Jan. 17. CollegeSwimming.com chooses men's and women's Swimmers of the Week for all NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA conferences.

Masei swam well against Southwestern Oregon Community College in a meet at Oregon State University on Saturday, Jan. 16. He won the 100-yard breaststroke and the 100-yard individual medley. He also took second place in the 50-yard backstroke and swam on Willamette's 200-yard medley relay team that placed third.

In the 100 breaststroke, Masei's winning time was 1:01.87. He finished first in the 100 I.M. with a time of 55.94 seconds. His time in the 50 backstroke was 25.86 seconds. He set season bests in the 100 breaststroke and the 100 I.M.

Willamette's next competition is set for Friday, Jan. 22 against Pacific University at 6 p.m. in the WU Natatorium. The Bearcats will travel to Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, Jan. 23 at take on the Pioneers at the Zehntbauer Swimming Pavilion in Portland, Oregon. The meet is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.