HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's swimming team is predicted to replicate its finish from last February, getting picked fifth in the annual Northwest Conference preseason coaches' poll released on Thursday.

The Lutes rank fifth with 37 points, sitting just five points shy of fourth ranked Linfield University and 12 points clear of sixth ranked Lewis & Clark College (25 points).

Whitworth University is the prohibitive favorite with 64 points and eight of the nine first place endorsements. University of Puget Sound is second with 56 points and the lone remaining first place vote. Whitman College rounds out the top three with 48 points.

Willamette University is seventh with 24 points followed by George Fox University in eighth (20 points), and Pacific University in ninth (eight points).
 
The Lutes finished fifth at the NWC Championships last February in Boise, Idaho, the program's best finish since 2022. PLU begins the 2026 season tomorrow evening, hosting Whitman College in a dual meet at the PLU Pool. Action begins at 6 p.m.