Setting the Scene: The Northwest Conference Regular Season Champion Pacific Lutheran University softball team opens the double elimination NCAA Division III Tournament on Thursday in McMinnville, Oregon while the Lute track & field teams will be in nearby Newberg that same day competing at the George Fox Final Qualifier.

THURSDAY:
T&F at George Fox Final Qualifier (10:15 a.m.)
SB vs. Transylvania (Ky.) in McMinnville, Ore. (1:30 p.m.)
FRIDAY:
SB vs. Linfield or Marymount (Va.) in McMinnville, Ore. (TBA)
SATURDAY:
SB at NCAA Regional in McMinnville, Ore. (TBA)

Softball: The 22nd-ranked Lutes are off to a familiar location, heading to NWC rival Linfield University for the NCAA Division III Tournament. 

The Lutes will square off against fellow at-large selection Transylvania University in the opener on Thursday before facing either Atlantic East Conference Champion Marymount University or NWC Tournament Champion Linfield on Friday.

It's PLU's first trip to the NCAAs since winning the national title in 2012. The Lutes have made seven trips to the NCAA Championships and have made 17 total trips to national tournaments, with 10 coming while members of the NAIA. 

Pacific Lutheran enters the NCAAs as one of the nation's best fielding teams, ranking seventh in NCAA Division III in fielding percentage (.975) while sitting 13th in total hits (425), 17th in home runs (34), and 22ndin home runs per game (0.77).

NWC Player of the Year Paola Garcia ranks fifth nationally in RBIs (63) while slotting seventh in home runs (13), and ninth in hits (71). NWC Pitcher of the Year Paige Wilson ranks ninth nationally in complete games (19) and wins (20) and sits 16th in strikeouts with 149. 

Women's Track & Field: Madison Downey headlined Friday's Oregon Twilight Meet at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, shattering a school record that stood since 1994.

Downey had a leap of 39 feet, four and one half inch in the triple jump, finishing second overall and first among collegiate competitors. Her mark currently stands as the 12th best jump in D3 this season and puts her in a great spot to punch a ticket to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Abi Caprye was third in the high jump while Ki Neir was sixth in the pole vault.

Thursday's meet is PLU's final chance at hitting qualifying marks before the field for the 2026 NCAA Championships is unveiled on Friday evening. 

Men's Track & Field: Bridger Hanis headlined the men's squad at the Oregon Twilight, clearing a personal best 6' 4 ¾" in the high jump to place fourth overall. George Sonko was seventh in the discus while getting top ten finishes from Chace McSherry in the hammer and Seth Kramer in the long jump. 
 
Welcome to Luteville Coach: The Lutes announced on Monday the hiring of Aly Lacey as the new head coach of the women's basketball program. Lacey comes to PLU after successful coaching stints at Auburn Mountainview High School and Kentlake High School.

Learn more about Lacey: LINK

Coaching News Part II: The Lutes also announced this week that Head Cross Country Coach Francis Reynolds will remain at PLU in a permanent capacity after having the interim tag lifted. Reynolds will also continue to serve as an assistant coach for the track & field program.  

Read more about Reynolds: LINK

All-League Attaways: The NWC released its All-Conference squads for baseball on Friday with three Lutes making the cut. Third basemen Carson Burke, shortstop Braeden Lundberg, and outfielder Ethan Keintz were all named Second Team selections.

It marks the third time Lundberg as earned All-Conference while Burke wins the honor for the second consecutive season. Keintz is a first time All-League selection. 

The Luteys: On Monday the Lutes celebrated student-athlete success hosting the annual Luteys Awards Banquet. Learn more about the award finalists and winners: LINK