The Seattle University swim team is headed to Long Beach, Calif., for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Swimming & Diving Championships, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 23 and running through Saturday, Feb. 26.
This will be the first year the Redhawks are competing in the MPSF, which added men’s and women’s swimming and diving in the 2010-11 year.
With one of the largest squads ever at Seattle U, the 2010-11 campaign has been a year of growth and improvement for both the men’s and women’s teams.
“The teams are enjoying taper, showing indications of faster speeds than we have seen before, and we are tremendously excited to travel to Long Beach to realize all the hard work and preparation they have put in during the season,” said interim head coach Kat Cuevas.
Alexis Morehouse (Vancouver, Wash.) has already set a new school record in the 200 breaststroke, and swimmers such as Briley Boggs (Federal Way, Wash.), Hayley Cobb (Irvine, Calif.), Tina Nguyen (Hillsboro, Ore.), and Casey Hoffman (Burien, Wash.) have come on strong with multiple personal records in the last few meets.
For the men, Jordan Anderson (Newberg, Ore.) has continually led the Redhawks, Nicolas Morrell (Bend, Ore.) has shown strength as a freshman, and Murray Longbotham (Mercer Island, Wash.), James Gilmore (Eugene, Ore.), and Eric Pedack (Snohomish, Wash.) have all been consistent competitors.
“Joining the MPSF has supported our Division I goals and provides exceptional competition,” said Cuevas. “We are looking forward to the debut of the MPSF Championships.”
The MPSF specializes in Olympic sports, including men’s soccer, men’s and women’s water polo, men’s and women’s indoor track, men’s and women’s gymnastics, men’s volleyball, and women’s lacrosse. A total of 37 institutions and 82 teams from the Pac-10, Big West, West Coast, Mountain West, WAC, Big-12, and Sun Belt Conferences compete in the MPSF.