Nov. 10, 2006

Lute Men Stun Puget Sound in NWC Swimming; UPS Women Triumph

Meet Results

Jason Hesla - two wins

Ben Lilley - wins 200 freestyle

The Pacific Lutheran men’s swimming team pulled a surprising upset over the visiting Puget Sound Loggers in a Northwest Conference swimming meet on Friday evening at the PLU Pool.

For only the second time in head coach Jim Johnson’s 29-tenure – the other time in the 2003 season – the PLU men defeated Puget Sound, this time by the narrowest of margins – 103-102. “That’s the biggest win of my career,” said Johnson, who praised his team for strong individual and team performances.

Mica Bailey - wins 50 and 100 free

Jessie Donovan - wins two events

Puget Sound didn’t allow a similar result in the women’s competition, surging ahead early and pulling away for a 126-79 victory.

The Pacific Lutheran men fell behind 13-4 after the first relay and never led until the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. Trailing 98-90, the Lutes made up the difference by placing first and third, outscoring the visitors 13-4 in the event. During the closing relay, it still looked good for Puget Sound as the Loggers took what appeared to be a commanding lead going into the final leg. In the final 25 yards, however, sophomore Andy Stetzler tracked down the Loggers’ Paul Hughes, giving the Lutes the win in a time of 3:25.18 to 3:26.05 for UPS.

There were plenty of PLU heroes in this meet. In addition to anchoring the winning freestyle relay, Stetzler won the 1000 freestyle (10:30.14) and the 500 freestyle (5:00.64). Freshman Ben Lilley swam on the winning freestyle relay and also won the 200 freestyle (1:54.01). Senior Jason Hesla won the 200 individual medley (2:06.11) and brought the Lutes to within striking distance of the Loggers by winning the second-to-last event, the 200 breaststroke (2:19.93). In doing so, Hesla defeated defending conference champion Hughes, who placed third behind teammate Greg Wolfe in this meet.

For the Loggers, Bret Schluederberg was a double winner, taking the 50 freestyle (22.46) and the 100 freestyle (49.62).

In the women’s competition, a pair of Pacific Lutheran freshmen showed that they will be reckoned with in Northwest Conference competition this season. Mica Bailey won the 50 freestyle (25.87) and the 100 freestyle (56.52), and her strong anchor leg pulled out the victory for PLU in the 400 freestyle relay (3:50.30). Jessie Donovan also won two individual events, the 200 individual medley (2:18.81) and the 200 backstroke (2:14.13), in addition to swimming the opening leg on the winning 400 freestyle relay team.

The Loggers showed their great depth as only one swimmer, Jane Kestner, won two events. She took the 200 freestyle (2:02.94) and the 500 freestyle (5:29.34).

- PLU -