HILLSBORO ORE.- The Whitman Blues women and Whitworth Pirates men will each be looking to take home their 5th consecutive NWC Swimming Title as the Northwest Conference Swimming Championships take place February 9-12th at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash.
Thursday Feb 9th will consist of one evening session beginning at 5pm. Friday through Sunday will consist of a prelim session beginning at 9:30 am followed by a finals session at 5pm (Sunday finals will begin at 4pm).
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Women
Linfield women are currently ranked #1 in the NWC with a 8-0 record. They enter the meet with an abundance of threats on their women’s team, holding many conference top times for this season and an incredible amount of depth. Freshman, Sarah Arpag will be a top contender in multiple events with top Linfield times in the 50 freestyle (24.68), 100 freestyle (53.18) , 100 butterfly (57.19), 200 butterfly (2:06.03), and 200 IM (2:10.35). Her butterfly events and 200 IM are the top times in the conference for the 2022-23 season. Sophomore Lauren Bobo-Shisler holds Linfield’s top position in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:00.08. Kirsti Keppo is Linfield’s top threat in the distance freestyle events, holding the top time in the 500 freestyle (5:20.01) and 1650 freestyle (18:25.47). Backstroke events are covered with Senior Kate Walkup who holds the NWC top time with a 58.99 100 backstroke and 2:07.99 200 backstroke. Walkup also holds the NWC 2022-23 top time and Linfield’s top time of the season in the 400 IM (4:40.49). Walkup will look to repeat her title in the 400 IM this season after a win in 2022. Junior, Whitney Averill holds the reins in the breaststroke events with a 1:07.45 100 breaststroke and 2:30.45 200 breaststroke, both of which place her in the top 5 for the season within the conference.
Defending champions Whitman will rely on a balance of upperclassmen and underclassmen to return to the top for the 2022-23 season. Freshman, Shaye Agnew will look to make a large contribution in her first season taking on the sprint events. Agnew currently holds Whitman’s top time in the 50 freestyle (24.43) and 100 freestyle (53.90) both placing her near the top of the conference. Agnew also holds the Blues’ top spot in the 100 back (1:01.02). Junior Erin McKinney holds the top spot in the 200 freestyle (1:59.20), 100 breaststroke (1:06.69), 200 breast (2:25.07), and 200 IM (2:14.80). McKinney’s 200 breaststroke takes the top time in the NWC for this season and as the 2022 champion, she will be defending her title in 2023. Siena Hayes and Kathryn Woodburn will take the distance events for the Blues with Hayes holding the top time in the 500 freestyle (5:31.11) and Woodburn holding the top 1650 time (18:54.97). Hayes also holds Whitman’s top time in the 400 IM (4:47.98). Senior Ella Hill holds the top spot in the 200 backstroke (2:16.79). Holly Hermanson will take the butterfly events with top times in the 100 butterfly (1:00.22) and 200 butterfly (2:19.49).
Puget Sound hopes to move up from last year’s 5th place NWC Championships finish in the 2022 season and has a variety of top talents to help them achieve this. Junior Elinor Glass will highlight the sprint freestyle and breaststroke events for the Loggers, holding team top times in the 50 freestyle (24.81), 100 freestyle (54.14), 100 breaststroke (1:06.54) and 200 breast (2:32.61). Glass has also posted the top 100 breaststroke time within the conference for the 2022-23 season. Sophomore, Sara Guillen will guide the mid-distance/ distance freestyle events with top times in the 200 free (1:55.85), 500 free (5:07.08), 1650 free (18:05.36). Guillen has also put up the #2 200 freestyle, and top 500 free and 1650 free times in the Northwest Conference this season. Senior Izzy Hendryx tops the Loggers’ backstroke roster with 100 back (1:00.77) and 200 back (2:11.01). Freshman, Maddy Brennan takes the top Loggers’ positions in the 100 butterfly (58.77) and 200 butterfly (2:13.55) as well as the 200 IM (2:11.76). Sophomore, Lara Franco holds Puget Sound’s top 400 IM time of the season (4:52.35).
Whitworth will rely on a combination of experience and fresh talent in the 2022-23 Championships. Senior Carly Hoff holds top times in the 50 freestyle (24.25), 100 free (52.48), and 200 free (1:57.09). Hoff is entering the NWC Championship with the top 2022-23 time in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the #3 time in the 200 freestyle. Hoff was the 2022 champion in the 100 free and will be competing in the event again in 2023. Freshman, Chamelle Abringe holds top times in the 500 free (5:38.13), 1650 free (19:06.23), 100 fly (1:00.74), 200 fly (2:17.57), 200 IM (2:19.91), and 400 IM (5:01.67). Sophomore Taylor Thorne looks to lead the backstroke events with top times in the 100 back (1:02.23) and 200 back (2:15.03). Grace Oster leads the Pirates in the breaststroke events with top times in the 100 breast (1:10.23) and 200 breast (2:37.55).
Pacific Lutheran will look heavily to a group of upperclassmen to lead the charge this championship season. Senior Sidney Chan-Orcutt leads the sprint freestyle events with PLU top times in the 50 freestyle (25.45) and 100 freestyle (54.74). Junior, Malia Wisham looks to be a major player in the 2022-23 Championship with top PLU times in the 200 freestyle (1:53.99), 500 freestyle (5:12.05), and 200 IM (2:11.09). Wisham has recorded the top time of the season for the conference in the 200 free where she will be defending her 2022 title on Saturday Feb 11th. Senior Claire Cranch leads the 1650 freestyle for the Lutes (20:21.34) along with the 400 IM (4:51.88). Junior, Annika Eisele and Senior, Maya Lovre are contenders in the backstroke events with Eisele holding the top time in the 100 back (1:01.30) and Lovre in the 200 back (2:12.96). Eisele is also the top time holder in the 100 fly (59.22) and 200 fly (2:19.69). Senior Makenzie Chan-Orcutt holds top times in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.31) and 200 breast (2:31.33).
Lewis & Clark enters the Championship meet with a roster of 4 freshmen already hoping to make big impacts on their program alongside their upperclassmen teammates. Junior Kate Milne will be leading the freestyle events with Pioneers top times in the 50 free (25.25), 100 free (53.67), 200 free (2:00.77). Milne currently holds the #3 time in the conference for the 2022-23 season in the 100 freestyle. Seniors, Annabelle Rousseau and Kiana Teh hold top times in the distance freestyle events with Rousseau in the 500 free (5:54.62) and Teh in the 1650 free (20:42.50). Freshman, Jane Tewinkel will make her NWC Championship debut with top Pioneers' times in the 100 back (1:03.94) and 200 back (2:24.55) while fellow classmate AJ Schroeder looks to highlight the breaststroke events with the 100 breast (1:14.34) and 200 breast (2:40.81) while also holding the top Lewis & Clark time in the 400 IM (5:15.83). Butterfly events will be led by freshman Aniqah Gaffoor who holds the #3 time in the conference for the season in the 100 butterfly (59.17) and the top Pioneers' time in the 200 fly (2:28.59), and 200 IM (2:25.68).
Willamette looks to a strong group of sophomore women in the 2023 NWC Championship meet. Sophomore, Alayna Kisiday looks to lead Willamette in the sprint freestyle events with top times in the 50 freestyle (25.50), 100 freestyle (55.29), 200 freestyle (2:01.82) while sophomore Sarah Jenner will take on the distance freestyle events, leading the bearcats in the 500 freestyle (5:33.98) and 1650 free (19:52.96). Jenner also holds the team top time in the 400 IM (5:20.41). Sophomore Tatum Good leads the roster in the backstroke events with the 100 back (1:01.71) and 200 back (2:15.09) along with the 200 IM (2:18.26). Sophomore Anna Hornbeck holds team top times in the 100 breast (1:08.05) and 200 breast (2:25.96). Hornbeck will be defending her 2022 title in the 100 breaststroke during this year’s championship. First year Ava Reich leads the team in the 100 fly (1:08.82) and 200 fly (2:36.61).
George Fox enters the meet with plenty of young talent to go alongside their upperclassmen. Freshman Mia Smith hopes to make a strong NWC Championship debut with top Bruins times in the 50 freestyle (26.32) and 100 freestyle (57.50). Junior Britney Muralt holds the team’s top time in the 200 freestyle (2:03.48) and 100 breast (1:09.24). Freshman Kaylee Dicey aims to make a big impact this year with top 5 conference times in the 500 free (5:27.95) and the 1650 free (18:36.84). Dicey also holds top team times in the 100 fly (1:03.65), 200 fly (2:24.99), and 400 IM (5:05.77). Freshman McKenzie Brennan holds a top team time in the 100 backstroke (1:05.12) while classmate Hannah Bartoo holds the top time in the 200 back (2:33.05). Brennan also holds the top time in the 200 IM (2:21.14). Junior Ellie Opdahl currently holds the Bruins’ top time in the 200 breaststroke (2:33.55).
Pacific looks to improve from their 2022 9th place finish during this year’s championship. Sophomore Anne Marie Grieder-Jacobs looks to be a large scorer for the Boxers during the championship meet with top times in the 50 freestyle (26.03), 500 freestyle (5:56.70), 200 back (2:13.52). Jacobs’ 200 backstroke time is the #4 NWC time of the season. Junior Allison Simon holds the team top time in the 100 freestyle (56.75) while freshman Jazmyn Capron-Graves holds the top time in the 200 freestyle (2:07.18). Simon also has potential to contribute in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.91) and 200 IM (2:27.16). Sophomore Amira Boler tops the roster in the 1650 freestyle (22:12.86). Senior Hannah Brandow will be a major player in the 100 backstroke (1:01.77) and 200 back (2:18.47). Senior Julie Abrigonde holds the top 200 breast time (2:40.46), 100 fly (1:03.19), 200 fly (2:23.64) and 400 IM (5:07.34).
Men
Linfield men are currently ranked #1 in the conference with an 8-0 record, following a 3rd place finish in the 2022 NWC Swimming Championships. Looking to make an impact this season is graduate student Garrett Sutton who currently holds the top time in the 50 free (21.13). Sutton’s time puts him in the #2 spot in the conference for this season. Senior Edan Donaldson holds the top 100 freestyle time (46.60), 100 backstroke (51.04) and 200 backstroke (1:57.37). Classmate Ben Simpson holds the top 200 free (1:43.28), 500 freestyle (4:48.85), 100 fly (50.27), and 200 fly (1:51.95) times. Simpson’s 100 fly time places him #2 for the season within the NWC while his 200 fly time is the fastest within the conference for the 2022-23 season. Simpson was the 2022 champion in the 100 fly and 200 fly in 2022 and will be defending both titles this year. Sophomore Gavin Smith hopes to impact the distance events with top time in the 1650 free (16:55.05). Smith holds the #2 NWC time of the season in the 1650. Alex Landry hopes to impact the breaststroke events with top times in the 100 breast (1:01.66) and 200 breast (2:11.97). Freshman Rocco Velie is another major contender at this year’s championship with top team times in the 200 IM (1:58.22) and 400 IM (4:22.37).
The Whitworth men are coming off their 4th consecutive NWC Championship title and enter the season with a significant amount of talent to give them a chance of repeating for their 5th NWC title. Sophomore Zachary Washburn looks to make a large impact in the sprint freestyle events with top Pirates’ times and top NWC times in the 50 freestyle (20.44) and 100 freestyle (44.41). Washburn also holds the team top time in the 200 freestyle (1:41.44) while being #2 in the conference in the event and holds the top team time in the 100 breast (59.82) and 200 IM (1:58.91). Washburn will be the defending champion in the 50 freestyle after a 20.44 finish at the 2022 championships. Senior Isaiah Ross holds the top Whitworth and NWC time in the 500 free (4:46.72) while senior Connor Florey holds the top team and NWC time in the 1650 free (16:37.27). Florey will return to the event this season as the defending champion having narrowly beat teammate Ross in 2022. Florey will also be defending his 1650 free title in 2023 after an impressive 10 second win in 2022. Ross also holds team top times in the 100 fly (50.28) and 200 fly (1:55.00). Florey holds the top team time in the 400 IM (4:14.09). Backstroke events are highlighted by sophomore Ty Patterson and freshman Vincent McNabb, with Patterson in the 100 back (52.71) and McNabb in the 200 back (1:57.97). Freshman Brody Faser looks to make an immediate contribution in his first NWC Championship with a top team time in the 200 breaststroke (2:11.35).
Whitman enters the meet with returning NWC individual champions and significant depth in their roster. Senior Tanner Filion looks to continue to make a large impact for Whitman men’s swimming in the 2023 NWC Championship. Filion currently holds top times for the Blues in the 50 free (21.45), 100 free (45.76), 200 free (1:37.91), 100 back (47.63), 200 back (1:44.20), 100 fly (49.75), and 200 IM (1:50.45). Filion is also ranked #1 in the NWC in the 200 free, 100 back, 200 back, 100 fly, and 200 IM. During the 2023 championships, Filion will be aiming to repeat his titles in the 200 freestyle, 100 back, and 200 back. Senior Daniel Bloor takes on the distance events with top times in the 500 free (4:53.30) and 1650 (16:57.35). Sophomore Ruru Rajbhandari looks to contribute in the breaststroke events with the top in the 100 breast (58.48) while junior Andrew Hanson holds the top Blues’ time in the 200 breast (2:12.38). Sophomore Andrew Kim holds the top Whitman time in the 200 butterfly (1:59.08) and 400 IM (4:21.36). Some other key swimmers to watch this season include senior Jackson Masson in the butterfly events, and sophomore John Leeds in the freestyle events.
George Fox looks to a group of seniors to help in guiding a talented group of underclassmen in this year’s championships. Senior Levi Gibson highlights the sprint freestyle and breaststroke events for the Bruins with top times in the 50 freestyle (21.72), 100 freestyle (48.95), and 100 breaststroke (59.10). Sophomore Aries Valenzuela leads the roster in the 200 freestyle (1:48.75) and 100 backstroke (55.53). Freshmen Daren Sehorn and Cameron Alexander lead the distance events with Sehorn in the 500 freestyle (5:08.59) and Alexander in the 1650 free (17:47.72). Sehorn also holds the top time in the 100 fly (54.30) while Alexander leads the 200 fly (2:03.92). Freshman Stewart Johnson tops the roster in the 200 backstroke (2:02.92). Senior Chris Mourich leads the 200 breast (2:16.88). Senior Hunter Bartoo takes the IM events for the Bruins with top times in the 200 IM (2:04.85) and 400 IM (4:31.50).
Lewis & Clark enters the 2023 NWC Championship with a small roster looking to make a big impact. Freshman Zach Martin aims to contribute in his first season with the Pioneers in the freestyle events with top team times in the 50 free (21.95), 100 free (47.49), and 200 free (1:46.03). Freshman Michael Spicer takes on the distance events with top times in the 500 free (4:53.37) and 1650 free (17:46.63) while also holding the top 200 fly (1:56.76) time. Backstroke and IM events are led by senior Eric Norman with the 100 back (54.68), 200 back (2:00.51), 200 IM (2:01.10), and 400 IM (4:30.58). Sophomore Isaac Anderson aims to lead the breaststroke events with top times in the 100 breast (1:03.24) and 200 breast (2:16.74). Sophomore Micah Rysavy tops the 100 fly for the Pioneers (52.31).
Puget Sound will rely on a combination of experience and underclassmen talent this year. Senior Brett Kolb leads the Loggers in the freestyle events with top times in the 50 freestyle (22.26), 100 free (48.61), 500 freestyle (4:52.12) and 1650 free (17:02.49) and 400 IM (4:11.08). Kolb’s 400 IM places him in the top spot to defend his 2022 title during the 2023 championships. Sophomore Jaden Francis takes over the 200 freestyle (1:46.89), 100 fly (52.06), and 200 fly (1:57.07). Senior Calvin Werts holds top times in the 100 backstroke (52.06) and 200 backstroke (1:56.15). Sophomore Lance Mielke looks to make major contributions in the breaststroke events as the top Puget Sound and top NWC swimmer in the 100 breast (57.44) and 200 breast (2:08.99). Sophomore Josh Cunningham holds the Loggers’ top time in the 200 IM (1:58.56).
Willamette looks to improve on their 7th place finish in the NWC Championships with a strong showing of experience in their program. Junior Julius Wilhelmi looks to lead the Bearcats in the sprint freestyle events with top times in the 50 freestyle (21.40), 100 freestyle (47.65), and 200 freestyle (1:48.07). The distance events are highlighted by first year Ethan Davies in the 500 free (5:13.39) and the 1650 free (18:35.59). Davies also holds the top spot in the 400 IM (4:55.11). Sophomore Cole Lindberg leads the roster in the 100 backstroke (55.37), 200 backstroke (2:14.68), 100 fly (51.21), 200 fly (2:02.31), 200 IM (2:03.26). Lindberg’s 100 fly time is the fourth fastest in the NWC this season. Senior Ben Nickell has posted the top Bearcat time in the 100 breast (1:01.68) and 200 breast (2:14.12).
Pacific Lutheran brings a combination of new talent and upperclassmen experience to this year’s championships. Junior Devin Stanley leads the Lutes in the sprint freestyle events with the 50 free (21.91), 100 free (47.60), and 200 free (1:48.01). Stanley has also had strong showings in the backstroke events this season with top 100 back (56.75) and 200 back (2:06.31) times. Freshman Tyler Tanaka takes over the distance events with top times in the 500 free (4:59.61) and 1650 free (18:46.56). Tanaka also holds top season times in the 200 breaststroke (2:09.87), 100 fly (55.64), 200 fly (2:10.50), and 400 IM (4:16.13). Junior Na’inao Loo leads the 100 breast (1:01.20) and 200 IM (2:05.04) for the Lutes.
Pacific enters the championships with a roster of only 4 swimmers, composed entirely of upperclassmen. Senior Josh Joireman leads the Boxers in all freestyle events except the 1650 freestyle. Joireman also tops the 100 breast (1:06.27), 100 fly (53.39), and 200 IM (2:26.07). The 1650 is topped by senior Ben Jones (20:44.54). Jones also leads the Boxers in the 400 IM (5:28.58). Senior Conner Gates takes the backstroke events with the 100 back (1:04.26) and 200 back (2:21.70). Junior Vinh Pham leads the 200 breast (2:44.60).