Official NWC Release

HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's track & field squad is picked to finish third at the 2026 Northwest Conference Championships, according to the annual preseason coaches' poll released on Monday.
 
The Lutes collected 43 points in the poll to snag third, enjoying a two-point edge on fourth ranked Willamette University (41 points). George Fox University sits atop the poll with 63 points and seven of the nine first place votes with Whitworth University taking the second spot with 58 points and the remaining two first place endorsements.
 
Pacific University was picked fifth with 35 points followed by University of Puget Sound in sixth (29 points) and Linfield University in seventh with 24 points. Lewis & Clark College (eighth- 23 points) and Whitman College (ninth- eight points) round out the poll. 

The Lutes begin the outdoor season on March 6 at the Ed Boitano Invitational at Puget Sound. PLU hosts two meets this spring— the PLU Open on March 13-14 and the Brad Moore Invitational on March 20-21— and will compete at the 2026 NWC Championships on April 25-26 in Spokane.