Results

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's swimming team won eight of the 11 events contested on Saturday afternoon, overpowering host Whitman College 130-75 in a Northwest Conference dual meet at the Harvey Aquatic Center. 
 
"Whitman is always a tough customer, whether they're at home or away. The Blues' energy is infectious, but the Lutes did what they do best— they fed off that energy and channeled it into their own. They took everything that was thrown at them today and returned it with interest," said Head Coach Andrew Lum.
 
"The Lutes were always present this year, but today they really arrived! We thank Whitman for providing a challenging and electric environment. I cannot express enough gratitude for the team's belief in themselves and each other, no matter the circumstances. We're very proud of the path they're paving together on the road to the NWC Championships in February."
 
Lola Chargualaf, Harper Canessa, Riley Maher, and Anna Haneda set the tone in the meet's first event, winning the 200-yard medley relay in one minute, 56.30 seconds. 
 
Scout Hawkins blew away the field in the 1,650-yard freestyle, owning a 35-second gap on the rest of the competition after finishing in 19:06.82. Hawkins continued to shine later in the meet, finishing runner-up in the 400-yard individual medley (4:55.55) and placing third in the 500-yard freestyle (5:49.77). 
 
Karina Yevstifieieva topped the field in the 50-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 25.81 with Julissa Pernsteiner third overall in 26.51. Yevstifieieva went on to win the 100-yard freestyle in 56.48 before teaming up with Maher, Haneda, and Emma Gassman to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:43.29.
 
Riley Maher won the 400-yard individual medley in 4:55.29, Gassman claimed the win in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:01.90, while Harper Canessa prevailed in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:10.62.
 
PLU tallied second place finishes from Canessa in the 200-yard freestyle (2:02.96), Julia Lorenzo in the 100-yard butterfly (1:05.41), and Kei Nishikawa in the 500-yard freestyle (5:36.38). The Lutes also received third place showings from Gassman in the 200-yard freestyle (2:03.64), Chargualaf in the 100-yard butterfly (1:05.88), Haneda in the 100-yard freestyle (59.31), and Litzy Orona in the 100-yard backstroke (1:12.26). 
 
The Lutes are back in the pool next Saturday, hosting University of Puget Sound in the final dual meet of the season. Action begins at 1 p.m. with a special senior day ceremony commencing at the conclusion of the meet.