Pacific Lutheran's Chase Mesford swims to a win by less than a half-second in the 100-meter freestyle. (Photo by Rocky Ross)
PLU MEN NOTCH HISTORIC VICTORY
Pacific Lutheran has not defeated Puget Sound often in men's swimming in the last 30-plus years. The Lutes managed to do so on Jan. 21, winning a dual meet at Wallace Pool at UPS 108-97. UPS has won 30 of the past 33 meetings between the schools. It was the Lutes first victory at UPS in more than 30 years.
Chase Mesford of PLU won the 100-meter freestyle, nipping Adam Ganz of UPS by four-tenths of a second. Joseph Parker pulled a big upset for PLU, defeating conference leader Teale Kitson in the 100-meter backstroke.
Lutes Rayan Carter and Daniel Pedack finished first and second in the 100-meter breaststroke.
Mesford, Carter, Parker and Corban Elliot combined for an easy win in the 200-meter medley relay.
The victory was especially sweet for PLU coach Matt Sellman, who swam for the Lutes in the 1990s. PLU lost all four contests against UPS while he was on the team.
"This was a big win for our men," he remarked.
Sellman noted that PLU's pool was closed due to a leaking roof during the week. UPS allowed his team to practice in their pool On Jan. 19 and 20. "I cannot thank UPS enough. They were very generous."
UPS coach Chris Myhre noted his men won six events to five for PLU. "I am not complaining. That is how it works sometimes. Matt is doing a good job with his guys. We just did not do enough to win." The UPS women defeated PLU 124-81. Melissa Norrish of UPS took first in the 200-meter freestyle in a time of 2:14.21. Teammate Caitlin Farry cruised to victory in the 400-meter IM with a time of 5:26.83. Myhre was pleased to see the women in their final season earn a victory on senior day. "It was emotional. It is exciting to see them go out with a win."
PLU MEN SPLIT ROAD TRIP
The Pacific Lutheran men's basketball team sits tied with Puget Sound for third place in the NWC after splitting their two-game road trip last weekend.
The Lutes handled Pacific (Ore.) 77-56 on Jan. 21 by shooting over 55 percent from the field, led by a game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds from Cameron Schilling. Andrew Earnest was 8-for-13 from the field for 17 points, while James Conti had 12 points and Kai Hoyt added 10 points for the Lutes. Pacific Lutheran also outrebounded Pacific 34-19 in the game.
The Lutes lost 53-52 at George Fox on Jan. 22 on a last-second put-back basket by the Bruins' Anthony Sanchez. Schilling again tallied game highs with 18 points and eight rebounds and Conti had 12 points, but the Lutes shot just 32 percent from the field.
PLU sits at 8-9 overall and 5-3 in conference play, with home games against Linfield on Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. and Willamette on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m.
LUTES WOMEN END LOSING STREAK
The Lutes women also split the Oregon road trip last weekend, beginning with a 62-48 win over Pacific (Ore.) on Jan. 21 that ended a seven-game losing streak.
Samantha Potter was dominant in scoring a game-high 20 points and team-high 13 rebounds for the Lutes, who limited the Boxers to just over 28 percent shooting from the field. Katelyn Smith added 11 points for Pacific Lutheran, while Mackenzie Bieker had eight points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds for the Lutes.
Smith was 9-for-12 from the field for 19 points and added six rebounds, six assists and five steals on Jan. 22, but the Lutes fell 71-51 to George Fox. Shelly Kilcup hit five three-pointers for 15 points for Pacific Lutheran, but the Lutes also had 23 turnovers. Potter had 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds for the Lutes.
Pacific Lutheran, at 5-12 overall and 2-6 in conference play, faces Linfield on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. and Willamette on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m.
TCC HOOPS TEAMS SWEEP
Tacoma Community College's basketball teams netted a sweep over South Puget Sound on Jan. 23 to remain at or near the top of their respective standings.
The men emerged with a 92-80 win behind a game-high 26 points from Nate Walker, who was 12-for-19 from the field, and 24 points and 11 rebounds by Mark McLaughlin. The Titans shot 47 percent from the field – as Dominique Williams and Demetrius Smith added 17 points apiece – and took advantage at the free-throw line, going 20-for-27. TCC remains tied with Clark atop the division standings, and hosts Green River on Jan. 28 at 5 p.m.
The women's team scored a 66-56 win over South Puget Sound to move to third place in the standings, at 4-1 in the division and 7-7 overall. Patrice Polk and Sherelle Williams paced the Titans with 15 points apiece, and Angelina Wagar-Sanchez had 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for TCC. Claire Swayze also notched double digits with 10 points, and although the Titans shot just 33 percent from the field, they limited the Clippers to 26 percent shooting. The TCC women next host Green River on Jan. 28 at 3 p.m.
