Official NWC Release
HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Northwest Conference office unveiled its annual All-Sportsmanship Team for the 2025-2026 academic year on Wednesday with 16 Pacific Lutheran University student-athletes earning recognition.
The NWC All-Sportsmanship Team is selected by head coaches of each sport for displaying good sportsmanship throughout the season. The Lutes being recognized include
Ethan Keintz (baseball),
Shaun Burton (men's basketball),
Emi Wada (women's basketball),
Noah Friedrich (men's cross country and men's track & field),
Jessalyn Robles (women's cross country),
Kekoa Meyers (football),
Tanner Frinell (men's golf),
Kathleen Pullin (women's golf),
Kathleen Swankowski (women's lacrosse),
Yuta Shimazu (men's soccer),
Joslyn Kruse (women's soccer),
Maiya Anderson (softball),
Tyler Tanaka (men's swimming),
Emma Gassman (women's swimming),
Madison Downey (women's track & field), and
Haley Goto.
Keintz, Frinell, and Downey are all earning the award for the second consecutive season while six of PLU's 16 All-Sportsmanship Team selections were named All-Conference this year. Headlining that group is NWC Triple Jump Champion
Madison Downey who was First Team All-NWC in two events and was a national qualifier in the triple jump. Men's soccer's
Yuta Shimazu was First Team All-Conference while women's swimmer
Emma Gassman was a First Team All-Conference selection in two events. Men's swimmer
Tyler Tanaka was a Second Team All-League pick in three events while baseball's
Ethan Keintz and softball's
Maiya Anderson both secured Third Team All-Conference.
Pacific Lutheran won a share of its ninth consecutive NWC title in women's soccer this fall while the volleyball team won the NWC Tournament for the second time in three years, advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Softball secured the NWC title for the first time since 2003 and qualified for the NCAA Championships while
Madison Downey represented PLU at the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
