Lewis & Clark College Holds Alumni Swim Meet
Current students and alumni gathered for an unscored exhibition event at the Zehntbauer Swimming Pavilion.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Swimming
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Lewis & Clark College hosted its annual Orange vs Black and Alumni swim meet as part of homecoming weekend. Seventeen alumni joined current student swimmers for a day of races ranging from sprints to 200-yard distances.
Why it matters
The event serves as a bridge between generations of swimmers, prioritizing social interaction and enjoyment over traditional athletic scoring. By allowing alumni to participate alongside the current team, the college fosters a sense of community across the program.
A total of 17 alumni took part in the event at the Zehntbauer Swimming Pavilion, competing in races that spanned from short sprints up to a maximum distance of 200 yards.
The players
Lewis & Clark College
This private liberal arts college is located in Portland and hosts various athletic programs.
Zehntbauer Swimming Pavilion
This facility serves as the primary aquatic center for the swimming programs at Lewis & Clark College.
The details
Coaches split all attendees into orange and black teams, though the meet remained unscored to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. Alumni were permitted to use flippers during their races to help level the field against current competitive student swimmers.
Timeline
October 17, 2026: The annual Orange vs Black and Alumni swim meet occurred.
Season Trajectory
This event follows the standard model of non-scored alumni exhibitions used by many collegiate athletic departments to maintain program history and donor relations. It marks a departure from the high-intensity competitive schedule, allowing for community building before the peak season begins.
The meet resulted in no change to competitive records or standing as the event was strictly unscored. The participation of alumni using flippers confirms the exhibition nature of the day rather than a standard intercollegiate competition.
The takeaway
Events like these prioritize the long-term health of athletic programs by building relationships with past athletes. Current students can gain valuable networking opportunities while alumni remain connected to the campus culture.
Further reading
For more on local aquatic athletics, visit the Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mossy Log.
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