Results

TACOMA, Wash. — Keira McDowell won a pair of events, pacing the Pacific Lutheran University women's swimming team in a dual meet against defending Northwest Conference Champion Whitworth University on Saturday at the PLU Pool. The Lutes won three events but fell short 146-67 on the scoreboard to close the opening weekend of dual meet competition. 

"The Lutes swam with guts and intent today against the Pirates. They belong, and have shown great capability in their drive and energy against high quality competition," said Head Coach Andrew Lum.

"The momentum we built this weekend is a great starting point on our road to the conference championships in February."

Keira McDowell won the 200-yard freestyle in two minutes, 5.24 seconds, edging out Whitworth's Mya Granger by 0.33 seconds. McDowell later won the 100-yard backstroke, finishing in 1:03.00, owning a over one second edge on the rest of the field.

Karina Yevstifieieva won the 50-yard freestyle, sprinting by the competition to touch the wall in 25.92 with Harper Canessa placing third in 27.10. 

Kei Nishikawa was runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly, touching the wall in 1:04.48 while Harper Canessa was second in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:11.12. 

PLU opened the meet with a runner-up showing in the 200-yard medley relay, finishing in 1:56.83 and closed the meet with a runner-up finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:47.29). 

Zara Vera Dodge was third in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:56.68 with Nishikawa placing third in the 100-yard individual medley (1:08.54). 

The Lutes dip back into the pool next Friday, heading to Salem, Oregon for a dual meet against NWC Willamette University.