SEATTLE, Wash. – Western Washington University junior distance runner Kevin McDermott recorded his third school record in as many indoor meets to open the 2024 season setting the WWU record in the indoor 3000m Friday to highlight Western's performances during the first day of the Husky Classic at Dempsey Indoor.

 

The Husky Open is the final tune-up for the Vikings prior to the GNAC Indoor Track & Field Championships that will be held February 19-20 at The Podium in Spokane. WWU entered this week's competition with the men listed No. 1 and the women No. 3 in the West Region, and both No. 1 in the GNAC according to the USTFCCA rankings. 

 

McDermott added the 3000m record to his mile and 5000m marks set in January, crushing WWU's previous record. The 2023 GNAC cross country champion ran 7:59.27 in the 3000m to become just the fourth GNAC runner to run below the 8-minute mark in the event in conference history. McDermott smashed the previous WWU record of 8:09.40 set by Mac Franks in 2022. Ironically, Franks finished just ahead of McDermott in Friday's results running 7:57.88 while running as non-collegiate runner. McDermott's time will likely fall in the national top 10 adding to top 15 national times in the mile (4:02.13) and 5000m (13:50.77) set earlier this season.

 

Sophomore Hunter Flick has bounced back from a lengthy battle with injuries and is poised to break his own school record in the 60m hurdles. Flick qualified for the finals and finished 2nd in the event running 8.11 to just miss his own program record of 8.07 set in 2022. 

 

A pair of women's hurdlers recorded top-10 program marks in the 60m hurdles, with sophomore Brooke Mansfield at No. 5 in 9.14 and junior Naomi Bates at No. 9 in 9.21.

 

Freshman Dorothy Franklin set a PR in the weight throw with a mark of 13.13m/43-1 to rank No. 9 in WWU indoor history.

 

Here is a breakdown of results for WWU competitors from Friday's competition at the Husky Classic:

 

Men's Results:

200m: Nolan Mickenham (4th, 22.10), Jaden Johnson (10th, 23.03), Anouthai Vongphet (12th, 23.24), Jaelin McQueen (18th, 24.91)

60m Hurdles (Prelims): Hunter Flick (Q, 2nd, 8.26), Jaden Edwards (Q, 6th, 8.54), Austin Seals (11th, 9.11)

60m Hurdles (Finals): Hunter Flick (2nd, 8.11), Jaden Edwards (7th, 8.55)

3000m: Kevin McDermott (20th, 7:59.27), Sten Brakstad (60th, 8:17.67), Leo Rutledge (69th, 8:20.88)

5000m: George Karamitsos (47th, 14:40.28)

Triple Jump: Gabe Menicke (5th, 13.64m/44-9), Troy Roberson (6th, 13.51m/44-4), Mikko Laulainen (8th, 13.21m/43-4.25)

High Jump: Manu Greenlee (3rd, 1.90m/6-2.75), Trent Kibler (7th, 1.85m/6-0.75), Austin Seals (7th, 1.85m/6-0.75)

Pole Vault: Austin Seals (16th, 4.12m/13-6.25), Aidan Klein (3.82m/12-6.25)

Weight Throw: Miller Campbell (5th, 16.89m/55-5), Angelo Ramos (7th, 16.30m/53-5)

 

Women's Results:

200m: Hannah Polkinghorn (23rd, 26.48), Isabella Porter (28th, 26.78), Naomi Bates (30th, 27.06)

60m Hurdles (Prelims): Brooke Mansfield (10th, 9.14), Naomi Bates (15th, 9.21), Isabella Porter (19th, 9.39)

5000m: Ashley Reeck (41st, 17:16.45)

High Jump: Kora Cook (12th, 1.55m/5-1)

Weight Throw: Katie Potts (10th, 14.83m/48-8), Dorothy Franklin (20th, 13.13m/43-1), Mara Parks (Foul)

 

WWU junior Matty Lagerwey was primed to make a run at the school record in the pentathlon at the Whitworth Invitational at The Podium in Spokane, but had a bit of tough luck. Lagerwey opened the competition finishing 2nd in the 60m hurdles running close to her PR in the 60m hurdles at 9.23 (PR is 9.19), but was not able to finish the rest of the competition due to an injury.

 

The Vikings are back in action Saturday with the final day of the Husky Classic at Dempsey Indoor. WWU will then turn its attention to the GNAC Indoor Championships that will take place February 19-20 at The Podium in Spokane.