By: Cody Wright
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth University swimming squads continued their dominant start to the 2025-26 Northwest Conference dual meet season with a sweep against visiting George Fox on Saturday at Megan Thompson Aquatic Center.
The Pirate men won all 11 events and won 170-33. The women won eight of 11 events and defeated the Bruins 141-61.
Jake Sachtjen and Kai Hayashida each won two individual events to lead the Whitworth men. Satchtjen won the 1,650-yard freestyle (16:51.71) in dominant fashion and touched first in the 500-yard freestyle (4:55.22). Hayashida was unbeaten in three races, winning the 200-yard freestyle (1:46.71), the 100-yard backstroke (52.90) and swimming the third leg of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay (1:26.16).
Grace Esteban led the Pirate women with three race wins on the night. Esteban won the 100-yard butterfly (1:01.11) and swam in both the winning 200-yard medley relay (1:52.79) and 200-yard freestyle relay (1:41.16). Paige Dangleis won the 400-yard IM (4:50.47) and swam the first leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay. First-year Molly Konop won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:07.22) and held the second leg of the 200-yard medley relay.
Patti Gabby earned two wins for George Fox in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.87) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.20). Donna Talmadge won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26.20.
The Bucs will be back in the pool on December 5th for a three-day meet at the Logger Invitational in Tacoma.
