BOISE, IDAHO - - The 2026 Northwest Conference (NWC) Swimming Championships concluded on Sunday at the Idaho Central Aquatic Center, with the University of Puget Sound delivering a powerhouse performance to secure second-place team finishes for both the men and women.
How it Happened
The future of Logger swimming was on full display as freshman Anderson Bennett was named the Men's Rookie of the meet. Bennett claimed the honor after an incredible weekend where he racked up a total of 50 points for the team. His Sunday was highlighted by a strong third-place performance in the 200 breaststroke, clocking in at 2:03.85.
Junior Emory Burden provided a historic moment during the weekend, breaking the NWC meet record in the men's 50 freestyle with a time of 20.63 seconds. Burden continued his dominant form on Sunday, securing a third-place finish in the 100 freestyle "A" final with a time of 45.30.
The Logger women showed their depth in the relay events and backstroke. The women's 800 freestyle relay team earned a stellar second-place finish, while the 400 freestyle relay team of Lelia Ollenburg, Holly Zipay, Adi Cosbey-Lewis, and Maddy Brennan also secured second with a time of 3:35.88.
In the 200 backstroke "A" final, Harper McGuire led the Loggers with a fourth-place finish(2:12.76), followed by Sophia Lihou in fifth (2:14.78).
Senior Zipay capped her championship weekend with a fifth-place finish in the 100 freestyle "A" final, touching the wall at 54.72.
The men's 800 freestyle relay team also battled to a fifth place finish. In the meet finale, the 400 freestyle relay team of Sam Lyon, Liam Tudor, Kai Sackreiter, and Burden took home the bronze.
Bryce Kirk represented Puget Sound in the 200 butterfly "A" final, earning fourth place with a time of 1:54.31.
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Final Team Results
The Loggers' collective effort resulted in a pair of second-place trophies, marking one of the most successful championship runs in recent program history.
Women's Top 3:
- Whitworth (709)
- Puget Sound (477)
- Pacific Lutheran (410)
Men's Top 3:
- Whitworth (875)
- Puget Sound (509.5)
- Linfield (394.5)
