The Whitworthian

Issue date: 11/20/07 Last Updated: 12/2/07

Media Credit: Natalie Baker/The Pioneer Log Whitworth swimmers take their place along the blocks before an event during a 121-84 triumph over Lewis & Clark College on Nov. 16. [Click to enlarge]

The Whitworth women's swim team sealed their 11th-straight Northwest Conference win this weekend in Oregon, handing Lewis & Clark College a 121-84 loss on Friday, and Willamette University a 129-65 loss on Saturday.

"The weekend went really well," sophomore Natalie Turner said. "They were easier teams to compete against."

Friday, the Pioneers came out strong winning three of the first five races. However, Whitworth was ultimately able to capture the victory by winning the next five of six events.

Senior Sam Kephart won the 50-yard freestyle, the 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. Turner pulled a win in both the 1,000-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. Junior Brittany Gresset won the 100-yard backstroke. The Whitworth women also topped the Pioneers in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

"It was awesome, everyone had a really good weekend," Kephart said. "It was great to see everyone swim really fast."

The team then finished their weekend sweep through Oregon Saturday, crushing host Willamette University 129-65.

The Pirates managed to win eight of the 12 events, easily clinching their victory. The team's success may stem from the friendships the team has forged.

"We are one big family," Kephart said. "Everyone is really united and in it for each other."

Both Kephart and Turner followed up their wins Friday with wins in their respective events on Saturday. Kephart was also part of the winning 400-yard relay team on Saturday.

Turner has her sights set on bigger plans for the remainder of this season and beyond.

"My goals are just to make it to nationals and do well there," Turner said. "One of my goals is to get the national record for the 200-yard freestyle for Division III."

To finish the series of wins Saturday, freshman Ashley Lecoq won the 50-yard freestyle and was on the winning 400-yard relay squad, Gresset won the 500-yard freestyle, and freshman Kelly Reynolds won the 200-yard breaststroke.

"We are doing awesome," Kephart said. "Everyone is improving at every single meet."

Next, the swimmers will be trekking to the Husky Invitational at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.

The meet will start at 5 p.m. next Friday.

The Pirates are currently 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Northwest Conference.

Contact Ryan Georgioff at ryan.georgioff@whitworthian.com.

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