TACOMA, Wash. - This weekend, the Pacific Lutheran University men's and women's swimming teams will travel to Oregon and begin its Northwest Conference dual competitions. Friday night, the men's and women's squads will compete against Willamette University and Saturday they will face Lewis & Clark College. 
 
Coming off an early invitational meet at the University of Puget Sound, both squads are ready to hit the pool on Friday and race against conference competition.
 
With only 14 athletes competing this weekend, the men's squad will rely on each individual to pull their weight and win as many points as possible. 
 
Jared Toschi, junior class captain with a major in political science, believes the many weeks of preseason training, specifically his participation in open water competitions, has prepared him for longer races relying on endurance. 
 
Senior SAAC member and Nursing major Marri Kutz shares similar sentiments, highlighting work outside pool, such as circuit and weight training, as being fundamental in jump starting the team's cardiovascular fitness early in the season. 
 
"I also feel that the team really bonded quickly in the preseason and that has helped us motivate each other at practice, to work hard and encourage each other," Kutz said. "Hopefully, that motivation will carry into the competitive season."
 
After placing third at the invitational, the women's squad plans to continue breaking off the race rust and coming out with fast times this weekend.
 
Looking specifically at the upcoming two meets, both Toschi and Kutz are eager to be present on deck as a full squad. 
 
"I hope to start my season off with some good swims to have momentum throughout the fall season," Toschi said. "For the team, I hope that everyone can take away one thing that they can work and improve on as we continue to compete throughout the season."
 
Kutz also expressed excitement for the new swimmers to experience their first college competition, and is looking forward to cheering on her teammates. 
 
The first competition of the season is a fun opportunity for the team to bond on the bus and support each other in the pool, but it is also focused on assessing where swimmers are in regards to racing times. Toschi is itching to dive in and compete.
 
"I'm most excited to finally compete," Toschi said. "I've been counting the days until I can finally race again."
 
The Lutes will be competing against the Willamette Bearcats on Friday at 6 p.m., and the Lewis and Clark Pioneers on Saturday at 1 p.m.