Official NWC Release

HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's swimming program had eight student-athletes recognized on Tuesday when the Northwest Conference officially released its All-Conference teams. Harper Canessa, Emma Gassman, and Scout Hawkins all earned First Team Honors while Lola Chargualaf, Riley Maher, Kei Nishikawa, Hannah Testa, and Karina Yevstifieieva all earned Second Team honors.

Emma Gassman led the Lutes, earning First Team All-Conference honors in two events. The Sitka, Alaska native lands First Team All-League honors in the 200-yard backstroke for the third consecutive season while also landing First Team accolades in the 100-yard backstroke. Gassman finished runner-up in the 100 back in 59.13 seconds while logging another runner-up showing in the 200-back, touching the wall in 2:08.96. Gassman is now an eight-time All-Conference selection over the past three years, including earning First Team honors five times.

Scout Hawkins earns First Team All-NWC honors in the 1,650 freestyle and Second Team honors in two more events. The Denver, Colorado native finished third in the 1,650 free, stopping the clock in 18:13.41. The sophomore also earned Second Team honors from a fourth place finish in the 400-yard individual medley (4:44.49) and a seventh place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:31.82). Hawkins has now earned seven All-League honors in her career after earning Second Team honors in four events last winter. 
 
Harper Canessa lands First Team All-NWC honors in the 100-yard breaststroke and Second Team status in the 200-yard breaststroke. The Portland, Oregon native was runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke, clocking a time of 1:05.67 and placed eighth in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:41.41) in her first appearance at the conference meet. 
 
Riley Maher earns Second Team All-League in three events. The Eugene, Oregon native placed fifth in the 200-yard individual medley (2:14.32) and 400-yard individual medley (4:44.54) and was sixth in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:31.34). Maher has now won All-Conference honors 10 times over the past three seasons, including earning All-NWC in the 200 IM all three years.

Kei Nishikawa secures Second Team All-Conference honors in a pair of events. The Pearl City, Hawaii native made her NWC meet debut this winter and placed seventh in both the 200-yard freestyle (2:00.25) and the 200-yard butterfly (2:17.82). 

Lola Chargualaf obtains Second Team All-NWC in the 200-yard backstroke. The Oak Harbor, Washington native placed eighth in the 200 back, touching the wall in 2:21.61. 

Hannah Testa secures Second Team All-Conference in the 100-yard breaststroke. The Fort Collins, Colorado native placed eighth overall in the 100 breast, finishing in 1:10.54.
 
Karina Yevstifieieva rounds out the Lute All-Conference winners, earning Second Team status in the 50-yard freestyle. The Gig Harbor, Washington native placed seventh in the 50 free, clocking a time of 24.89. 

PLU had a banner meet at the 2025 NWC Championships at the Idaho Central Aquatic Center in Boise, Idaho, finishing third overall. It was the program's best finish since the 2022 season.