Results

TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's swimming team erased an early deficit to come away with its 20th consecutive dual meet victory on Friday night at the PLU Pool, taking down Whitworth University 113-91 to open up the Northwest Conference dual meet season.

The Lutes (2-0, 1-0 NWC) fell behind early and trailed by one point, 85-84, heading into the final two events. PLU won both events, outscoring the Pirates (0-1, 0-1 NWC) 29-6 in the 200-yard breaststroke and the 400-yard freestyle relay to cement the win.

"It was our first conference dual with both men and women on deck in a long time so it was great to have the entire team cheering each other on," said Head Coach Matt Sellman.

"The team swam well considering it's the first time swimming longs in a very long time. We learned a lot about what we need to do to get better."

Malia Wisham provided the win in the 200-yard breaststroke, clocking a winning time of two minutes. 32.19 seconds with Isabella Valles placing runner-up (2:36.06), and Claire Cranch securing third (2:38.71). Wisham's win was followed by Jessica Ordaz, Bailey Hamilton, Makenzie Chan-Orcutt, and Sidney Chan-Orcutt winning the 400 free relay in 3:48.16.

Wisham won her first event of the night in the 200-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 1:57.58 before Ordaz took the 50-yard freestyle in 24.84. Ordaz prevailed in the 200-yard butterfly, finishing in 2:10.83, holding a comfortable eight-second edge on the runner-up from Whitworth while Hamilton won the 100-yard freestyle in 56.44 with Sidney Chan-Orcutt taking second billing in 56.81.

Annika Eisele won the 200-yard backstroke in 2:14.89 before Wisham won the 500-yard freestyle in 5:18.51 with Mary Campbell placing third (5:46.74).

Cranch was second in the 1,000-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 11:40.13 and was third in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:21.35.

The PLU 400-yard medley relay B team was second in the event, finishing in 4:24.10 after the A team from PLU was disqualified.

"It was an awesome win for the women against a good opponent. They rallied well after an early DQ to take control late in the meet and get the victory. We just love the confidence they show under duress."

The Lutes are back in the pool tomorrow at noon, facing Whitman College to close out the homestand.