HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Whitman Blues women and Whitworth Pirates men will seek to defend their Northwest Conference titles at the 2022 Northwest Conference Swimming Championships hosted by Willamette University at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash. from February 10-13.
Thursday, February 5th will consist of one evening session beginning at 5 pm. Friday through Sunday will have both a morning session, beginning at 9:30 am, followed by an evening beginning at 5 pm.
WOMEN
The Pacific Lutheran Lutes enter the championships boasting several top times and rank first amongst Northwest Conference teams in the dual meet standings (7-0). Jessica Ordaz leads the NWC in the 50 free (24.13) and the 100 fly (56.48). She is also second in the NWC in the 200 fly (2:08.42). Her time of 2:12.81 in the 200 IM is third best in the NWC. Malia Wisham leads the NWC in the 200 Free (1:55.19), the 100 breast (1:07.48), and the 400 IM (4:42.48). She is also second in the NWC in the 500 free (5:06.01) and the 200 IM (2:12.75). Teammate Bailey Hamilton is third in the 100 fly (58.92). Pacific Lutheran leads the NWC in the 200 Free Relay (1:38.26) and the 400 medley relay (3:58.13). The Lutes hold the second-best time in the NWC in the 800 free relay (7:56.76) and are third amongst NWC universities in the 200 medley relay (1:50.00). The Lutes took home four out of the seven NWC student-athlete of the week honors. Jessica Ordaz, Malia Wisham (two-time recipient), Annika Eisele were the three swimmers honored.
Linfield ranks second in the Northwest Conference after finishing the dual meet season 5-1 against NWC schools. The Wildcats were victorious against Willamette (136-59), Lewis & Clark (122-76), George Fox (120-84), Pacific (Ore.) (126-94), and Puget Sound (105-100). Their only loss of the season was to top ranked Pacific Lutheran. Linfield’s Kate Walkup leads the NWC in the 200 fly with a time of 2:07.92. She is also third in the NWC in the 1000 free (10:56.93) and third in the 1650 free (18:05.23). Teammate Avery Campbell ranks third amongst NWC swimmers in the 100 back (58.88).
Puget Sound was fourth amongst the preseason coaches’ poll and currently ranks third in the conference with a 5-2 record. Their wins were against NWC opponents Whitman (115-90), Whitworth (117-88), George Fox (131-73), Pacific (Ore.) (114-69), and Lewis & Clark (131-61). The Loggers fell to both Pacific Lutheran and Linfield. Puget Sound’s Sara Guillen leads the NWC in the 500 free with a time of 5:04.90. She also ranks second in the NWC in the 200 free (1:56.14), the 1000 free (10:51.06), and the 1650 free (17:58.34). Guillen was also named NWC student-athlete of the week. Teammate Emily Nolan leads the NWC in the 1000 free (10:41.68) and the 1650 free (17:43.31). She is also second amongst NWC swimmers in the the 100 back (58.79) and the 200 back (2:06.69). Nolan also has the third best time of 5:12.98 in the 500 free. Elinor Glass ranks second in the 100 free (53.75) and third in the 200 free (1:57.56), while Izzy Hendryx is third in the NWC amongst 200 back swimmers (2:10.68). The Loggers also lead the NWC in the 800 free relay (7:48.45) and have the second-best times amongst NWC schools in the 400 free relay (3:38.01), 200 medley relay (1:49.59), and 400 medley relay (4:06.32).
The Whitworth Pirates currently rank fourth in the dual meet standings after finishing the season with a record of 4-2. Whitworth won the NWC Relays and outscored Willamette (194-58), Pacific (Ore.) (132-57), and Whitman (111-94). Whitworth’s Emma Thompson leads the NWC in the 100 back (56.15), the 200 back (2:03.59), and the 200 IM (2:08.83). Thompson was named NWC student-athlete of the week twice during the 2021-22 season. Teammate Carly Hoff leads the NWC in the 100 free in a time of 53.41 and she ranks third in the 50 free (24.41). Ryann Reid has the third best time in the NWC for the 400 IM (4:46.76). The Pirates lead the NWC in the 400 free relay (3:36.42) and the 200-medley relay (1:48.07). They have the second-best time in the NWC in the 200 free relay (1:38.44), the 800 free relay (7:55.69) and 400 medley relay (4:01.24).
The Whitman Blues finished the dual meet season 3-3 to rank fifth in the conference standings. The Blues walked away victorious three times this season as they faced the Boxers (160-41), Bruins (149-52), and Bearcats (158-44). Whitman’s Erin McKinney ranks second amongst NWC swimmers in the 100 breast (1:07.78). Teammate Shea Tsuha ranks third in the 100 breast (1:07.90). Bella White holds the second-best time in the NWC for the 400 IM (4:43.16) and she is third in the 200 fly (2:11.45). Whitman also holds the third best time amongst NWC schools in the 400 free relay (3:41.07).
George Fox holds the sixth spot amongst NWC schools finishing the dual meets with a 3-4 record. The Bruins three wins were against Pacific (Ore.) (117-87), Willamette (115-83), and Lewis & Clark (115-79). Olivia Gibson has the second best time in the 100 fly (58.86) and the third best in the 100 free (53.90). Teammate Aspen Monkhouse holds the third best time in the 50 free (24.32) amongst NWC competitors. The Bruins also hold the third best time in the 200 free relay (1:40.85).
Willamette finished the dual meet season with a record of 2-3, with wins against Pacific (Ore.) (108.5-92.5) and Lewis & Clark (115-89). Willamette’s Sarah Jenner and Anna Hornbeck are one and two in the NWC in the 200 breast, with times of 2:26.17 and 2:27.37, respectively. First-year swimmer Tatum Good is seventh in the NWC in the 200 back and tenth in the NWC in the 100 back.
Lewis & Clark ranks eight amongst NWC schools. Ciara Orness currently ranks third in the NWC 200 breast with a time of 2:27.55 and holds top times amongst the Pios in the 100 breast (1:09.03). Kate Milne, Alys Chang, and Erin Khong hold top times amongst Lewis & Clark women’s swimmers heading into the Northwest Conference Championship.
Pacific (Ore.) rounds out the NWC dual meet standings. Alexandria Moehnke, Anne-Marie Jacobs, Julia Crumb, Julianne Abrigonde, Hannah Brandow all hold top times amongst the Boxer women’s team.
MEN
The Whitworth men look to win their fourth straight NWC title coming off an undefeated dual meet season (6-0), which included winning the NWC Relays. The Pirates were voted first by conference coaches at the beginning of the season. Ryan Grady holds the fastest times in the NWC in the 100 breast (57.21), 200 breast (2:01.16), and 200 IM (1:51.39). He also ranks third in the 200 free (1:42.93). Teammate Connor Florey also holds multiple times that rank top amongst NWC swimmers. These include the 500 free (4:43.66), 1000 free (9:58.49), and 1650 free (16:31.14). His time of 4:13.78 ranks second in the NWC for the 400 IM. Zachary Washburn sits atop the NWC in the 50 free (20.90), holds the second-best time in 100 free (45.66), and the third best time in the 200 free (1:42.03). Jake Goguen ranks third in the NWC for the 100 free (45.66), and fellow Pirate Isaiah Ross holds the second fastest time in the 500 free (4:46.95) and the third fastest in the 100 fly (51.34). The Whitworth men’s team ranks atop the NWC in the 200 free relay (1:24.58), 400 free relay (3:05.83) and 800 free relay (6:54.71). They hold the second fastest times in the 200 medley relay (1:33.71) and 400 medley relay (3:28.15). The Pirates took home three out of the seven NWC student-athlete of the week honors. Ryan Grady (two-time recipient) and Zachary Washburn were the two swimmers honored.
The Linfield Wildcats also boast an undefeated dual meet season (6-0). Daisuke Fitial holds the second fastest time in the 100 back (50.64), 200 back (1:51.43), 100 fly (50.94), and 200 IM (1:56.73). Teammate Ben Simpson is first amongst NWC swimmers in the 100 fly (50.32) and 200 fly (1:51.50). The Wildcats also rank third in the 200 free relay (1:26.83) and 200 medley relay (1:34.68).
Whitman finished the dual meet season ranked third with a 5-1 record. Their only loss was to Whitworth. Tanner Filion leads the NWC in the 100 free (45.53), 200 free (1:40.59), 100 back (49.28), 200 back (1:47.97), and is second in the 50 free (21.22). He also took home three NWC student-athlete of the week honors during the 2021-22 season. Teammate John Leeds is ranked third in the 500 free (4:48.19) and second in the 1650 free (16:47.42). The Blues also hold top three times in the NWC by Andrew Kim, Michael Chang, and Daniel Bloor. Kim ranks second in the 200 fly (1:55.37) and third in the 400 IM (4:14.55). Chang holds the third fastest 200 fly time of 1:55.50. Bloor ranks third in the 1650 free with a time of 16:56.63. The Blues hold the fastest 400 medley relay time in the NWC of 3:28.06. They also rank second in the 400 free relay (3:09.70) and 800 free relay (6:59.16).
Puget Sound was fourth amongst the preseason coaches’ poll and currently ranks fourth in the conference with a 4-3 record. Their wins were against NWC opponents George Fox (134-59), Pacific (Ore.) (131-43), Lewis & Clark (109-70), and Pacific Lutheran (180-64). The Loggers fell to Linfield, Whitman, and Whitworth. Puget Sound’s Ethan Schwartz ranks second in the 1000 free (10:09.65) and third in the 100 back and 200 back, 52.01 and 1:53.74, respectively. Teammate Brett Kolb holds the fastest time in the 400 IM (4:13.55) and the third fastest times in the 1000 free (10:11.36) and 200 IM (1:58.12). Kolb was also honored as the NWC student-athlete of the week. Elijah Grinstead swam to the second fastest time in the 100 breast (58.51). Logger swimmer Lance Mielke ranks third in the 200 breast (2:10.01). The Loggers hold the fastest time in the 200 medley relay (1:33.61), the second fastest 200 free relay (1:26.43), and the third fastest times in the 400 free relay (3:11.77), 800 free relay (7:00.02), and 400 medley relay (3:32.18) amongst NWC schools.
George Fox holds the fifth spot amongst NWC schools finishing the dual meets with a 3-4 record. The Bruins three wins were against Pacific (Ore.) (154-22), Willamette (92-91), and Lewis & Clark (99-93). Jason Gibson, Aries Valenzuela, Kyle Roberson, Kobe Lilio, Valery Tikhomirov, Christopher Mourich, Zachary Celebrado, and Hunter Bartoo all hold top times amongst the Bruin men’s team.
Lewis & Clark ranks sixth amongst NWC schools with a 2-3-1 dual meet record. The Pios walked away victorious against Pacific (Ore.) (129-45) and Willamette (100-86). They tied Pacific Lutheran 91-91. JP Greener, Alex Spiecker, Micah Rysavy, Eric Norman, and Isaac Anderson hold top times amongst Lewis & Clark men’s swimmers heading into the Northwest Conference Championship.
Pacific Lutheran finished the dual meet season with a record of 2-4-1, with wins against Pacific (Ore.) (114-45) and George Fox (97-80). They tied Lewis & Clark 91-91. Seth Koivisto holds the second-best times in the NWC in the 100 breast (57.43), and 200 breast (2:09.75). Charlie Cutter, Devin Stanley, Carson Braddock, Luke Farag, and Nicolas Celebrado all hold top time amongst the Lutes men’s team.
Willamette ranks eight amongst NWC schools, finishing with a dual meet record of 1-4. The Bearcat’s win was against Pacific (Ore.) 135-39. Julius Wilhelmi ranks third in the NWC 50 free with a time of 21.39. William Compton, Cole Lindberg, Ben Nickell, Robert Daugherty hold top times amongst Willamette men’s swimmers.
Pacific (Ore.) rounds out the NWC dual meet standings. Joshua Joireman, Hung Huynh, and Conner Gates all hold top times amongst the Boxer men’s team.
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