2026 NWC Swimming Championships Preview

2/11/2026 8:39:52 PM

Boise, Idaho– The 2026 Northwest Conference Swimming Championship, hosted by the Linfield Wildcats, will take place this coming February 13-15th at the Idaho Central Aquatic Center in Boise, Idaho– where the Whitworth Pirate Men’s and Women’s teams will look to defend their NWC Swimming titles.

The Championship meet will consist of three full days of competition starting this Friday, each day beginning with a prelim session at 9:30am (MT) followed by finals sessions at 5pm (MT).

Click here for championship details and ticketing information!

Women

Defending champion Whitworth enters the conference meet looking to defend their title with young talent competing at the championships.

Paige Dangleis ranks first in the NWC for the 100 & 200 freestyle, posting times of 54.17 and 1:56.92, respectively. Fellow freshman teammate also posts top times in the 500 & 1650 freestyle, with times of 5:08.70 and 17:29.56 in each race. Sophomore Grace Esteban holds Whitworth’s fastest time in a NWC third-seeded position in the 50 free (24.58).
In the backstroke events, Dangleis ranks second in the NWC for the 100 backstroke (59.20), while teammate Hailey Freeman posts a NWC fourth-seeded time of 2:10.64.
Molly Konop (FR) and Megan Bonikowsky (SO) dominate the top two positions for both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events– Konop seeded first in the 100 (1:04.46) and Bonikowsky seeded first in the 200 (2:19.56).
In the 200 IM Dangleis is the top-seed for Whitworth with a second place NWC time of 2:09.07, while 2025 NWC Co-Swimmer of the Year Isabella Hoopes claims the top seed in the 400 IM (4:36.88).
The Pirates hold the NWC 5th place position for both butterfly events– Hoopes is the top-seed for Whitworth in the 200 (2:17.34) while Esteban holds a time of 58.74 in the 100.
Whitworth women rank first in the NWC for all relay events but the 200 freestyle (1:39.30), posting top seeded times in the 400 free (3:35.57), the 800 free (7:50.31), the 200 medley (1:48.55), and the 400 medley (4:01.44).

Whitman

Avery Riley ranks second in the NWC for the 500 free with a time of 5:11.76. Elly Rectenwald is sixth in the 50 free (25.01), Anneliese Hanson is fifth in the 200 free (1:59.17) and sixth in the 100 free (54.97), and Siena Hayes is eighth in the 1650 free (19:04.10).
In the backstroke events, Ella Tyroler ranks 12th in the 100 back (1:04.61), while a freshman teammate is Whitman’s top seed in the 200 back (2:41.81).
In breaststroke, Siena Hayes ranks sixth in the 200 (2:32.22), and Elly Rectenwald is sixth in the 100 (1:09.47).
Teague Monahan is Whitman’s top seed in the 200 IM (2:17.25), while teammate Siena Hayes ranks eighth in the NWC for the 400 IM (4:53.32).
Avery Riley is the first-seeded swimmer in the NWC for both the 100 butterfly (57.60) and the 200 butterfly (2:10.72).
In relay events, Whitman’s women rank second in the 400 free (3:38.35), sixth in the 200 free (1:40.97), seventh in the 400 medley (4:10.60), eighth in the 200 medley (1:56.23), and third in the 800 free (8:11.44).

Puget Sound

For the sprint races, Lelia Ollenburg ranks 2nd in the NWC for the 50 free, posting a time of 24.20, and ranks 3rd in the NWC for the 100 free (54.48). Laleeta Pal posts the top time for Puget Sound in the 200 free (2:00.90) and the 1650 free (18:46.51). Harper McGuire rounds out the Puget Sound freestyle swimmers with a top Puget Sound rank with a 5:27.50 in the 500 freestyle.
McGuire also holds the top times for the Loggers in the 100 & 200 backstroke, holding a NWC 4th place position in the 100 (1:00.60) and 6th place overall in the 200 (2:14.42).
In the breaststroke events, Hazel Knight holds the top time for the Loggers in the 200 (2:35.17) while teammate Adison Cosbey-Lewis holds a NWC 5th place position in the 100 (1:09.41).
In the 200 IM, Madeline Brennan holds a NWC top 5 time of 2:11.52, while teammate Hazel Knight races the top time for the Loggers in the 400 IIM (4:55.71).
For the butterfly events, Brennan races a second-seeded NWC time in the 100 (58.30) and Daphne Khong ranks second in the NWC in the 200 (2:11.95).
In the relays, Puget Sound ranks first in the 200 freestyle (1:38.93), second in the 200 medley (1:50.39) and 800 free (8:04.49), and fourth in the 400 medley (4:06.86) and 400 free (3:40.14).

Linfield

2025 NWC Co-Swimmer of the Year Kirsti Keppo ranks third in the NWC in the 500 free (5:12.47), second in the 1650 free (18:03.63) and second in the 200 free (1:57.17). Fellow teammate and 2025 NWC Co-Swimmer of the Year Sarah Arpag ranks 7th in the 100 free (54.99) and in the 50 free, Caley Haydu posts a top-10 NWC time of 25.26.
In the backstroke events, Linfield is represented by Karmen Kendoll in the 100 (1:05:30) and in the 200 (2:22.23).
Kira Etheredge holds a NWC 4th seeded time of 1:08.93 in the 100 breaststroke and a 7th seeded time of 2:32.33 in the 200 breaststroke.
Etheredge represents the Wildcats in the 200 IM with a time of 2:13.66, while Keppo races a 5th seeded time of 4:50.15 in the 400 IM.
In the butterfly events, Arpag looks to make a splash in the 100 and 200 for Linfield, racing from the 4th position in the 100 (58.73) and 7th in the 200 (2:19.10).
In the relays, Linfield rank third in the 400 free (3:39.31) and 200 medley (1:50.98), 5th in the 200 free (1:40.82) and in the 400 medley (4:07.96).

Willamette

For the sprint races, Leah Howell ranks 17th in the NWC for the 50 free, posting a time of 25.74, and ranks 16th in the NWC for the 100 free 56.23. Jillian Price posts the top time for Willamette in the 200 free 1:58.98 and Elisa Michels the 1650 free 20:37.82. Jillian Price rounds out the freestyle swimmers with a top Willamette rank with a 5:24.29 in the 500 freestyle.
Leah Howell also holds the top times for Willamette in the 100 backstroke, holding a NWC 5th place position in the 100 1:01.03, while Jillian Price holds the top time for the school and 5th place overall in the 200 2:13.45.
In the breaststroke events, Hanna Vornbrock holds the top time for Willamette in the 200 2:41.63 and a NWC 16th place position in the 100 1:13.75.
In the 200 IM, Tessa Ciatti holds a NWC top 11th time of 2:16.03, and races the top time for Willamette in the 400 IM 4:57.80.
For the butterfly events, Tessa Ciatti races a 7th-seeded NWC time in the 100 59.22 and ranks 8th in the NWC in the 200 2:19.17.
In the relays, Willamette ranks 8th in the 200 freestyle 1:44.20, 7th in the 200 medley 1:54.49 and 800 free 8:30.00, and 8th in the 400 medley 4:10.80 and 400 free 3:48.38.

?Pacific Lutheran

For the sprint races, Karina Yevstifieieva ranks 7th in the NWC for the 50 free, posting a time of 25.02, and ranks 9th in the NWC for the 100 free (55.40). Kei Nishikawa posts the top time for Pacific Lutheran in the 200 free (2:04.63) and Scout Hawkins the 1650 free (19:08.48). Nishikawa rounds out the freestyle swimmers with a top Pacific Lutheran rank with a 5:28.53 in the 500 freestyle.
Emma Gassman also holds the top times for Pacific Lutheran in the 100 & 200 backstroke, holding a NWC 6th place position in the 100 1:01.88 and 3rd place overall in the 200 (2:10.21).
In the breaststroke events, Harper Canessa holds a NWC 3rd place position in the 200 (2:26.48) and in the 100 (1:06.52).
In the 200 IM, Riley Maher holds a NWC 8th ranked time of 2:13.97, races the top time for Pacific Lutheran/NWC 4th ranked time in the 400 IM (4:48.78).
For the butterfly events, Emma Gassman races a 10th-seeded NWC time in the 100 1:00.41 and Kei Nishikawa ranks 4th in the NWC in the 200 (2:16.11).
In the relays, Pacific Lutheran ranks 4th in the 200 freestyle (1:40.42), 4th in the 200 medley (1:51.55) and 5th in the 800 free (8:16.93), and 2nd in the 400 medley (4:01.89) and 5th in the 400 free (3:42.49).

George Fox

Freshman Gabbie Patti ranks 1st in the NWC for the 50 free, posting a time of 23.90, and Donna Talmadge ranks 18th in the NWC for the 100 free 56.48. Kaylee Dicey posts the top time for George Fox in the 200 free (2:05.63), while Jesse Urback ranks third in the NWC in the 1650 free (18:28.04) and fourth in the 500 freestyle (5:13.48).
Gabbie Patti also holds the top times for George Fox in the 100 & 200 backstroke, holding a NWC 1st place position in the 100 (56.53) and 1st place overall in the 200 (2:01.93).
In the breaststroke events, Riley Parker holds the top time for George Fox in the 200 (2:33.71) and in the 100 (1:10.10).
In the 200 IM, Gabbie Patti holds another NWC 1st-seeded position of (2:06.07), while teammate Jesse Urback races the top time for George Fox in the 400 IM (4:51.86).
For the butterfly events, Donna Talmadge leads the Bruins in the 100 (1:05.54) and teammate Ellie Hoover ranks 13th in the NWC in the 200 (2:25.43).
In the relays, George Fox ranks 3rd in the 200 freestyle (1:40.27), 5th in the 200 medley (1:52.18), 4th in the 800 free (8:12.48), 3rd in the 400 medley (4:06.07) and 6th in the 400 free (3:43.13).

Lewis & Clark

For the sprint races, Elise Barton ranks 5th in the NWC for the 50 free, posting a time of 24.81, and ranks 2nd in the NWC for the 100 free (54.47). Elise Barton also posts the top time for Lewis & Clark in the 200 free (1:59.54), while teammate Claire Hurty races the top time for Lewis & Clark in the 1650 free (19:58.17). Angie Cummings rounds out the freestyle swimmers with a 6th place NWC rank with a 5:22.21 in the 500 freestyle.
Angie Cummings also holds the top times for Lewis & Clark in the 100 & 200 backstroke, holding a NWC 3rd place position in the 100 (1:00.58) and 2nd place overall in the 200 (2:07.96).
In the breaststroke events, AJ Schroeder holds the top time for Lewis & Clark in the 200 (2:42.80) and in the 100 (1:17.90).
For the butterfly events, Aniqah Gaffoor races a 6th-seeded NWC time in the 100 (58.96) and races the top time for the River Otters in the 200 (2:23.28).
In the relays, Lewis & Clark ranks 7th in the 200 freestyle (1:42.99) and 400 free (3:44.86); 6th in the 200 medley (1:54.29), 800 free (8:19.76), and the 400 medley (4:10.47).

Pacific

For the sprint races, Jaz Capron-Graves leads the Boxers in 50 free (26.26), the 100 free (57.60), and the 200 free (2:09.36). Dahlia Leighton leads the Boxers in the 1650 free (22:31.77) while teammate Cadee Yamashita rounds out the freestyle swimmers with a top Pacific rank with a 5:55.75 in the 500 freestyle.
Molly Sawyer also holds the top times for Pacific in the 100 & 200 backstroke, posting a time of 1:06.80 in the 100 and 2:28.00 in the 200.
In the breaststroke events, Abby Fisher holds the top time for Pacific in the 200 (2:45.20) and in the 100 (1:14.73).
In the 200 IM, Abby Fisher also holds a Boxer top time of 2:35.79, while teammate Nicole Louie races the top time for Pacific in the 400 IM (6:35.66).
For the butterfly events, Molly Sawyer races a 23rd-seeded NWC time in the 100 (1:07.52) and ranks 16th in the NWC in the 200 (2:34.40).
Pacific looks to make an impact in their eighth ranked position in the 800 freestyle relay (10:51.89), their most competitive rank of their relay events.

Men

The Whitworth men enter the conference meet looking to defend their title with a strong roster of returning NWC champions.

For the sprint races, Nathanael Van Liew ranks 3rd in the NWC for the 50 free, posting a time of 20.71, and also ranks 4th in the NWC for the 100 free (46.61). Parker Dangleis posts the top time for the NWC in the 200 free (1:39.61) and Jake Sachtjen holds the second-seeded NWC time in the 1650 free (16:03.26). Sachtjen holds the second-seed position with a time of 4:41.32 in the 500 freestyle.
Kai Hayashida also holds the top times for Whitworth in the 100 backstroke, holding a NWC 1st place position (51.03), while teammate Samuel Draeger holds 2nd place overall in the 200 (1:54.04).
In the breaststroke events, Alex Popov holds the second place position in the 200 (2:04.50) and in the 100 (56.71).
In the 200 IM, Popov also holds a NWC top time of 1:54.70, while teammate Samuel Draeger races the top time for Whitworth in the 400 IM (4:10.88).
For the butterfly events, Henry Brewster races a 3rd-seeded NWC time in the 100 (50.44) and ranks second in the NWC in the 200 (1:51.86).
In the relays, Whitworth ranks 1st in the 200 medley (1:30.82), 800 free (6:58.76), and 400 free (3:08.47); and second in the 200 freestyle (1:39.30) and 400 medley (3:23.22).