October 2006

Ian Batch - Cross Country

Junior
Eagle, Idaho (Capital High School)
Major: Rhetoric and Media Studies

Otawa has been the top performer for the men’s swimming team so far this season. He also is among the top swimmers in the Northwest Conference. At the end of November, he ranked first in the NWC in the 50-yard freestyle, with a time of 22.00 during Willamette’s dual meet at Whitworth on Nov. 17. He also ranked second in the conference in the 100-yard breaststroke, after recording a time of 1:01.30 at Whitworth, in a head-to-head battle with the NWC leader, Bryan Clarke, who edged out Otawa in 1:00:82. At Whitman on Nov. 18, Otawa won three events, as he finished first in the 50-yard freestyle, the 100-yard freestyle and the 200-yard breaststroke. His times at Whitman were 22.17 in the 50 free, 49.35 in the 100 free and 2:21.73 in the 200 breast..

Sarah Zerzan - Cross Country

Junior
San Carlos, Calif. (Notre Dame High School)
Major: Chemistry (Biochemistry track)

Zerzan took first place in the women’s race at the Northwest Conference Championships. Her efforts also helped the Bearcats win the NWC women’s team title. Zerzan ran the 6-kilometer course at the Pacific Lutheran University Golf Course in 20:32.66 to win the event by 53.14 seconds. Willamette won the team title with 50 points, as the Bearcats surpassed the University of Puget Sound at the end of the race. Zerzan broke the WU record in the 6K by more than 55 seconds. Earlier in the month, she won the women’s title at the Mike Hodges Invitational with a time of 16:25.11 for five kilometers. She defeated a talented field that included the University of Oregon. Zerzan also won the women’s title at the 32nd Annual Charles Bowles Invitational on Sept. 30, as she clocked in at 17.11.0 in the 5-kilometer race. She has been named NWC Runner of the Week three times this season.