FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Linfield sophomore Kirsti Keppo claimed her first individual title in the 500-yard freestyle, helping Linfield hold tight to its lead in the point standings after two days of competition Friday at the Northwest Conference Swimming Championships at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
 
With 204 points, the defending NWC champion Wildcat women hold a narrow lead over challenger Whitman, which sits in second place after Day 2 with 200.5 points. Puget Sound (154) is third and Pacific Lutheran (128) is fourth.
 
The Linfield men, fueled by a trio of point scorers in the 50 freestyle, stand in fourth place in the team standings with 141.5 points. The Wildcats trail Whitworth (293), Puget Sound (176), and Whitman (173.5).
 
Action resumes Saturday with preliminary races starting at 9:30 a.m. followed by evening finals in six men's and women's events starting at 5 p.m.
 
WOMEN
Keppo recorded a career best time of 5:03.69, cutting 10 seconds off her previous top time and moving her up to No. 2 on Linfield's all-time list. She trails only Evette Dow, who swam to a record time of 5:01.00 at this same meet in 2019. Kalea Mullins took 13^th place, clocking 5:25.68.

Avery Campbell was runner-up in the 50 freestyle, dueling eventual champion Shae Agnew of Whitman in a close race, 23.81 to 24.09. Campbell's mark was .01 faster than her all-time best, currently No. 2 on Linfield's all-time best list. Freshman Caley Haydu scored valuable points for the Wildcats in the same event, placing seventh in 24.79.
 
Two Wildcats placed in the championship finals of the 200 individual medley. Sarah Arpag claimed fourth place in 2:11.11 while Whitney Averill was seventh in 2:13.25.
 
The Wildcats' 400 medley relay, comprised of Avery Campbell, Averill, Arpag and Caley Haydu, solidified third place in 3:57.99, the fifth-fastest time in program history.
 
MEN
Edan Donaldson swam to a third-place result in the 50 freestyle with a career-best time of 21.07. Teammates Daniel Olson (21.53) and Carson Washburn (21.60) placed ninth and 10^th, respectively. Donaldson climbed to No. 5 on Linfield's all-time best list in the event.
 
In the 500 freestyle, Gavin Smith picked up 12 team points with a seventh-place finish. Cam Wheeler was 15^th in the same event in 4:54.67.
 
Donaldson combined with Ivan Tontchev, Rocco Velie, and Carson Washburn to earn third place in the 400 medley relay. Their time of 3:25.41 moved the foursome into No. 5 on the all-time Linfield ladder.