Pirates seek to conquer NWC waters

Samantha Kephart was the only Whitworth swimmer – man or woman – to reach the finals of any event during last year’s NCAA Division III national championship meet.

Granted, she won two national titles and scored 51 points to help the Pirates finish 22nd in the women’s standings.

Pirates coach Steve Schadt is anticipating more far-reaching results this year, however, when he returns to the national meet March 8-10 in Houston. This weekend, several athletes from the Whitworth men’s and women’s teams can finalize berths at nationals with impressive showings at the Northwest Conference Championships in Walla Walla.

The Whitworth women went unbeaten in seven NWC dual meets en route to the conference’s regular-season crown and are favored to be the first team to supplant Puget Sound as team champion since 1997.

Brittany Gresset qualified for nationals as a freshman last year. She posted the top time in the NWC during the regular season in the 50 free (24.48 seconds), 100 free (53.86) and 50 fly (27.30).

Freshman Natalie Turner had a breakout season, posting the NWC’s fastest time in the 200 free (1:55.01), 500 free (5:08.51), 1,000 free (10:43.93) and 1,650 free (17:45.52).

Another freshman, Yasi Kheshgi, is a threat to qualify in the 200 fly. Junior Katelyn Erickson recorded the third-best time in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.20) and fourth-best in the 50 breast (33.97).

The Pirates also laid claim to the best times in all five relays.

Among men, David Dolphay followed up last year’s award as the co-outstanding swimmer of the meet at the NWC Championships and an NCAA berth with a standout junior campaign. He posted the fastest times in the conference in four events – the 200 free (2:44.90), 500 free (4:46.16), 1,000 free (9:58.30) and 1,650 free (16:30.24).

Junior Bryan Clarke was fastest in the 200 breast (2:15.03).