Results

Day 1 Recap

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's and women's swimming team saved the best for last on Friday night, winning a conference title and shattering a school record in the final event of the night to conclude day two of the 2024 Northwest Conference Championships at the King County Aquatic Center.

The PLU women's 400-yard medley relay team entered Friday as the top seed and more than delivered, winning the race by almost four seconds. Annika Eisele, Makenzie Chan-Orcutt, Jessica Ordaz, and Emma Gassman secured the title after clocking a school record setting time of three minute, 53.24 seconds. It's an effort that was 0.29 seconds better than the previous record established during the 2014-2015 season. For Eisele and Ordaz it's the second time in their careers winning the 400 medley relay, also securing a crown as a member of the relay during the 2022 Championships.

Riley Maher snagged All-Conference honors in the 200-yard individual medley, touching the wall in 2:11.36 to place sixth overall while Makenzie Chan-Orcutt (2:14.22) and Sidney Chan-Orcutt (2:15.81) finished ninth and 14th, respectively, in the same event.

Devin Stanley secured All-NWC accolades in the 50-yard freestyle, covering the down and back sprint in 21.39 to place eighth. Stanley later teamed up with Tyler Tanaka, Dylan Dang, and Khosbayar Amgalan to finish sixth in the 400-yard medley relay, finishing in 3:29.89.

"While on paper this is our lighter day in terms of number of races, the Lutes were fighting like heavyweights today! They were punching, grinding, and buoying each other every step of the way. We're extremely proud of their love, pride, and care for one another on our first full day of competition," said Head Coach Andrew Lum.

"Both relays were extremely exceptional highlights to cap off the day. Our men racked up a #8 all-time performance and our women not only secured a conference title, but also a new school record! All credit is due to our four fantastic women in Annika, Makenzie, Jessica, and Emma for stepping up to the plate for each other and the team."

"We would also want to make sure we acknowledge that this conference title and school record was a TEAM effort. Every single Lute played a vital role for their belief and bombastic energy for every single stroke, relay exchange, and walkout tonight. The Lute train has departed the station, has built some serious momentum, and won't get stopped for the next couple of days."

Other notable finishes included Na'inoa Loo placing 15th in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:59.52 and Jersey Razzano registering 16th in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:31.82. 

The Lute women maintained their position in fourth place in the NWC team standings, finishing the night with 128 points. The Lutes have a three-point edge on fifth-place George Fox University and trail third place University of Puget Sound by a 26-point margin. Linfield University continues to lead the way with 204 points.

On the men's side, PLU is sixth overall with 95 points. The Lutes trail fifth place Willamette University by 24 points and enjoy a six-point buffer over seventh place Lewis & Clark College. Whitworth University holds a commanding lead with 293 points with University of Puget Sound in second with 176 points.

Action resumes tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. for day three of the NWC Championships.