Oregon State Edges Washington State

Saturday was also the final time OSU seniors Wirth, Sandy Hong, an Julie McCauley competed at Steven's Natatorium.

Senior day at Steven's Natatorium. From left: Sandy Hong, Julie McCauley, and Erika Wirth. Photo: OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS - The Oregon State swim team finished its home schedule by defeating Washington State 133-129 in a close finish that was decided on the final relay.

The Beavers (8-7, 1-5 Pac-10 Conference) picked up their first Pac-10 win of the season.

“It was a real good meet and it was intense as I thought it would be,” OSU head coach Larry Liebowitz said. “Each swimmer did a good job and it was kind of a chess match late, and we came out on top.”

The back-and-forth battle began with the Cougars taking the 200 Yard Medley Relay (1:46.69) and the 1000 Freestyle.

The Beavers responded with four straight event wins.

Kayla Rawlings won the 200 Free (1:53.48), Saori Haruguchi won the 100 Backstroke (56.45), Felicia Castaneda was victorious in the 100 Breaststroke (1:05.26), and Rawlings came out on top in the 200 Butterfly (2:02.51).

WSU took both the 50 and 100 Free before the Beavers were victorious in the 200 Back and 200 Br.

Haruguchi won the 200 Back (2:02.09) and Megan Evans clinched the 200 Br. (2:20.89) with a strong performance.

WSU’s Erin McCleave picked up her third meet win of the day in the 500 Free before Haruguchi brought the Beavers back with a win in the 100 Fly (55.47).

Through 12 events, the Beavers led 117-109, which meant the meet would probably be determined on the final relay.

The 400 Individual Medley was the final individual event of the meet.

Evans won her second event of the day, holding off WSU’s Kayli Changstrom by over six seconds.

With a 13-point lead heading into the 400 Free Relay, the Beavers knew a strong, solid swim would lock up the victory.

WSU took first place, but Anna Crandall, Robin Klein, Lisa Chewning, and Erika Wirth placed second for the Beavers.

Two other OSU relay teams finished fourth and fifth to ensure victory.

The Pac-10 win was the first for the Beavers since last season when they defeated the University of Washington at home.

Coincidentally enough, the Huskies are the Beavers next opponent and final meet of the regular season.

Both teams will meet on Saturday at 11:00 A.M. in Seattle, Washington.

“It should be the same kind of meet as today,” Liebowitz said. “It will be really tough and they have a new coach this year. The team has been learning each other and they will be much better this time than when we saw them earlier in the year at the Husky Invitational.”

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