On Friday night, Linfield men’s and women’s swimming won 20 of 22 events, against Willamette University.

For their home opener at the Linfield Aquatics Center, the ’Cats came out hot and never stopped. The Linfield women dominated the Bearcats beating them 136-59, while the men controlled their side as well, beating the Bearcats 138-59.

On the women’s side, sophomore Kaylee Elsom won the 1650-yard freestyle in a time of 19:32.61. Junior Alexis Matthiesen-Johnson came in second (20:37:82). Elsom also competed in the 200-yard freestyle relay where the ’Cats came in second.

Junior Claudia Velie led all the competitors in the 200 freestyles (2:06.48), out touching   Willamette’s  Sarah Jenner (2:06.57). Velie was also a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Kalea Mullins and Kate Walkup went 1-2 in the women’s 400-yard IM (4:46.51 and 4:53.81). Walkup also won in the women’s 500-yard freestyle (5:31.54).

Showing off their speed, sophomores Whitney Averill and Maggie Kelly went 1-2 in the women’s 100-yard freestyle (57.44 and 58.08). Averill also won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10:35).

For the men, Ben Simpson dominated in the 100-yard butterfly, clocking 53.08. Willamette’s Cole Lindenberg finished second in the event.

Colby Evenson won in the men’s 200-yard freestyle (1:51.75), only a second in front of his teammate Cameron Wheeler. Evenson also competed in the 100-yard freestyle, coming in second with a 51.24.

Daisuke Fitial dominated in the men’s 400-yard IM (4:23.40). He also competed in the men’s 200-yard freestyle relay, leading the men to a second-place finish in 1:31.20.  

Senior Garrett Sutton claimed first in the 50-yard freestyle, clocking a time of 21.85. 

Up next, the Wildcats will compete again in two weeks against Pacific Lutheran University on November 19 at 6 p.m. at home and George Fox University on November 20 at 11 a.m. in Newberg.

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