Linfield had a full schedule of meets last season, but there were still some hiccups along the way thanks in large part to COVID-19.
 
The last few years have been anything but normal. The junior class is still waiting to complete a normal year of collegiate swimming. The incoming freshmen also had their high school and club seasons disrupted during the pandemic, but time waits for no one.
 
"It's different to look at a class that's thinking about graduation next year when they haven't really had a full swimming season here at Linfield," said Kyle Kimball, who's in his ninth year as head coach.
 
LOOKING FORWARD TO CONSISTENCY
The Wildcats get another shot at a full slate in 2022-23 with 12 meets to prepare for the Northwest Conference Championships, which will take place on Feb. 9-12 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. Four meets are already under their belts as the NWC dual meet season is underway.
 
Both squads opened the season at the NWC Sprints and Relays, two meets that they don't always attend. But since the opportunities for racing have been inconsistent in recent years, the coaching staff decided to get the two teams in the pool prior to their first conference duals.
 
"It's nice to be back and moving forward as normal," Kimball said. "We needed to get back at it, which is why we went to the sprint and relay meets, to get back into racing."
 
Consistency is key for Linfield as both teams use early meets to project how the rest of the season is going to go. All roads lead to Federal Way, and the Wildcats see regular season meets as practices for the big show in February. In the past two seasons, the teams didn't solidify their plans for the NWC Championships until January. With the help of a stable season, the coaching staff can start to make the necessary adjustments and prepare now.
 
"Our kids have been eager to get back to racing. It's nice to see the preparation. We've done a good job of getting out there and racing. We've had some good times so far and have been successful. Now, let's keep that ball rolling."
 
WOMEN
The Linfield women are already firing on all cylinders. The 'Cats placed first of seven teams at the NWC Sprint Meet with 287 points, 116 points ahead of runner-up Pacific Lutheran (171). They won four events the next day at the NWC Relay Meet, which included a pair of co-ed races.
 
The 'Cats dominated their in-state foes with a 120-68 victory at Willamette on Nov. 4 and a 125-56 win at Lewis & Clark on Nov. 5 to get off to a 2-0 start in NWC duals.
 
"Our women are looking strong. They're well rounded. We have people in every event, and it's going to be a fun year."
 
Three seniors are leading the charge in Alexis Matthiesen-Johnson (distance freestyle), Claudia Velie (freestyle/breaststroke/IM) and Kate Walkup (butterfly/distance freestyle/IM). A deep junior class is led by Whitney Averill (breaststroke/IM/sprint freestyle) and Maggie Kelley (sprint freestyle).
 
Averill earned the first NWC Women's Swimming Student-Athlete of the Week award of the season. She won two events at the NWC Sprint Meet and was the overall points champion with 20. She was also a member of two winning teams at the NWC Relay Meet.
 
Lauren Bobo-Shisler (sprints) and newcomer Hannah Crocker (backstroke) are two names to look out for in the sophomore class while freshmen Sarah Arpag (butterfly/backstroke/IM) and Kirsti Keppo (butterfly/distance freestyle) have bolstered the roster.
 
"We have a smaller roster than we've had in the past, but it's a tighter-knit group. From top to bottom, they're strong. I could go down the roster of names of people who are standing out."
 
MEN
The men also had a solid showing at the NWC Sprint Meet, finishing second to Whitworth with 172.5 points. They won three events at the NWC Relay Meet to go with a pair of wins in mixed races. Like their female counterparts, the 'Cats were successful in their first week of NWC duals, beating Willamette 128-60 and Lewis & Clark 121-64.
 
"The guys too, from top to bottom, are strong. I'm happy with where we're at right now."
 
Edan Donaldson (sprint freestyle/butterfly/backstroke), Ben Simpson (butterfly/freestyle) and Garrett Sutton (sprint freestyle) are leading a strong eight-man senior class. Freshmen Rocco Velie (IM/butterfly) and Carson Washburn (freestyle) have also impressed in the opening weeks of the season.