TACOMA, WASH.— The Pacific Lutheran University women's swimming team battled back and forth with the Loggers of the University of Puget Sound ultimately falling 158-99 in the final dual meet of the season Saturday afternoon.
The Lutes made it a point of importance to bring the energy in order to honor their four seniors of
Alyssa Anderson,
Emma Gassman,
Anna Haneda, and
Michelle Owen in their final dual meet of their PLU careers.
"The Lutes showed their respect, acknowledgment, and belief in our seniors through their engagement from the beginning to the end today," Head Coach
Andrew Lum commented. "Senior Day is one of the easiest ones to manage on the coach's side because the team does an excellent job coordinating it. Their care and gratitude really shines on this day."
Today's meet started off with a bang as PLU took first in the 200 yard medley relay: Gassman,
Harper Canessa,
Riley Maher and
Karina Yevstifieieva beat the Loggers by more than three seconds with a final time of one minute and 51.55 seconds. Canessa would continue momentum for the Lutes winning out in the 100 yard breaststroke with a 1:08.91. Gassman continued her strong outing placing second in the 200 yard butterfly with a 2:20.34.
Julissa Pernsteiner added to the Lutes powerful performances with a second place finish in the 50 yard freestyle finishing with a 26.43. Maher was up next for the Lutes placing 2nd in the 200 yard IM with a final of 2:17.16. Gassman continued to leave it all out there in her final dual meet winning the 200 yard breaststroke beating her competition by four seconds with a 2:17.22.
Canessa would not be one upped winning the 200 yard breaststroke with a 2:34.03. Maher round out the individual events finishing second in the 100 yard butterfly in 1:01.28. PLU would end their senior day on a positive note winning the final event the 200 yard freestyle relay as Yevstifieieva, Maher, Canessa, and Gassman took care of business posting a final time of 1:42.28.
Pacific Lutheran will be back in action in two week time at the Northwest Conference Championships in Boise, Idaho.
