HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Northwest Conference office released its annual preseason coaches poll for the sport of women's swimming on Wednesday with Pacific Lutheran University picked to finish fourth at the 2027 NWC Championship Meet. 

The Lutes collected 44 points in the poll to place fourth, finishing three points shy of third place Whitman College (47 points). Reigning conference champion Whitworth University sits atop the poll with 64 points and eight first place votes while crosstown rival University of Puget Sound is second with 55 points and the remaining first place vote. 

George Fox University is the top Oregon school, checking in at No. 5 with 33 points followed closely by Linfield University in sixth with 31 points. 

Willamette University is seventh with 24 points followed by Lewis & Clark College in eighth (18 points) and Pacific University in ninth (eight points).

The Lutes finished third last winter at the 2026 NWC Championships held in Boise, Idaho. PLU opens the 2026-2027 season on Friday evening, hosting Whitman College in a dual meet at 6 p.m.