FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Defending women's champion Linfield got off to a strong start Thursday night, winning two relay events to kick off the first of four days of racing at the Northwest Conference Swimming Championships at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
 
The Wildcat women successfully defended their NWC crowns in the 200- and 800-yard freestyle relays to take an early 10-point lead in the overall team point standings. Linfield (80 points) leads challengers Puget Sound (64), Whitman (64) and Pacific Lutheran (62) after two events.
 
Action continues Friday with preliminary races starting at 9:30 a.m. followed by evening finals in four events starting at 5 p.m.
 
WOMEN
The foursome of Sarah Arpag, Avery Campbell, Kirsti Keppo and Kalea Mullins cut nearly 15 seconds off their season-best time to repeat as conference champion in the 800 freestyle relay (7:50.83). The Wildcats held off strong surges by runner-up Whitman (7:51.25) and third-place Puget Sound (7:53.51).
 
Campbell, Arpag, Mullins and Whitney Averill teamed up to edge Pacific Lutheran for the 200 medley relay title. The Wildcats edged the Lutes at the wall, 1:47.92 to 1:48.06, capturing the squad's second straight 200 medley crown. Somewhat unexpected, Linfield entered the race owning the NWC's fourth-fastest time of 1:51.13.
 
MEN
Linfield's 200-yard freestyle relay, comprised of Edan Donaldson, Ivan Tontchev, Rocco Velie and Daniel Olson, staked a third-place finish to collect 32 team points after the first day of competition. The Wildcats recorded a season-best time of 1:33.81, trimming nearly a full second off their previous top time.
 
In the night's only other event, Linfield placed third in the 800 freestyle relay. The quartet of Donaldson, Velie, Cameron Wheeler and Carson Washburn secured third place in 6:56.11. That time cut more than 12 seconds off their previous season best effort.