BOISE, Idaho - - The University of Puget Sound swim teams opened the 2026 Northwest Conference Championships on Friday with a conference champion, a school record, and multiple runner-up finishes at the Idaho Central Aquatic Center.
 

How it Happened

Sophomore Sam Lyon highlighted the evening with a conference title in the men's 500 freestyle. After qualifying first in prelims with a time of 4:37.80, Lyon returned in finals to touch the wall in 4:35.18, pulling away in the second half of the race to secure the win.

Puget Sound also made school history in the men's 200 freestyle relay. The group of Liam Tudor, Kai Sackreiter, Joel Liu and Emory Burden combined for a second-place finish of 1:22.42, breaking a previous program record.
The Loggers closed the evening with a second-place finish in the 400 medley relay, where Brandon Tsang, Anderson Bennett, Lyon, and Burden combined for a time of 3:24.14.

Individually, Bennett placed fifth in the 200 individual medley, while Burden finished fourth in the 50 freestyle.

On the women's side, Puget Sound secured a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, as Lelia Ollenburg, Adi Cosbey-Lewis, Holly Zipay, and Amy Madsen fought for a time of 1:38.04. Ollenburg also earned a runner-up finish in the 50 freestyle, and freshman Laleeta Pal scored in the A final of the 500 freestyle.

What Happens Next

Puget Sound returns to the pool Saturday as competition continues at the Northwest Conference Championships.