The Beavers look to end the 2015-2016 season on a high note

After more than five months of competing and training through the 2015-2016 season, the Oregon State swimming team can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Beavers recently wrapped up their regular season against Boise State, and are now less than one week away from the Pac-12 Championships on Feb. 24-27. OSU was outscored 150-103 at the Boise West YMCA pool, and have dropped their last three meets. However, the team has still seen several strong performances from a variety of individuals.

All-American senior Sammy Harrison, who is poised to make a big splash at the Pac-12 Championships, won the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 10:18.25. Harrison also placed second in the 500-yard freestyle, clocking in at 5:06.16. These wins continue a recent string of success for Harrison. In the two meets preceding the the matchup with BSU, Harrison had won two events apiece in the 500-yard and 1000-yard freestyles.

The Beavers also registered three other wins during the meet. Junior Czsarina Isleta finished first in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:12.42, and freshman Megan Lam took the 100-yard butterfly, posting a time of 59.57 seconds. Lam and Isleta also showed well in other events during the meet. Lam participated in the 200 butterfly, finishing at a time of 2:10.92 and placing second, while Isleta finished second and third in the 100- (1:05.39) and 200-yard (2:22.73) breaststroke events.

The final victory of the event for OSU came from the 400-yard freestyle relay, where Harrison, junior Andrea Young, junior Anni Hecker and senior Claire McLaggan combined to register a winning time of 3:39.35.

Last year, Harrison broke the school record in the 1650-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships, finishing seventh and shattering the record that she previously set. She will be vying to secure a spot at the NCAA Championships for the fourth year in a row at this year’s Pac-12 Championships, and will likely be the favorite to bring home the 1650-freestyle title for the third straight year.

Harrison has the distinction of being the first Pac-12 Champion in the history of the school’s swimming program. She will be making her final appearance at this year’s Pac-12 Championships, which will be held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash.

Isleta will also be making her return to the Pac-12 Championships, hoping to improve upon last year’s showing. In 2015, Isleta finished 27th in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:18.26. She also set a team and personal best time in the 200 with a time of 2:05.50.

Isleta and Harrison will hope to continue their regular season success into the postseason, and help lead the team going into the Pac-12 and NCAA Championships.

@michaelkievaaa