By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University Track & Field program had three student-athletes earn Great Northwest Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week honors for competition held March 4-10.
Junior thrower
Katie Potts, sophomore javelin thrower
Jakob Braunstein and junior sprinter
Brian Le were all recognized for their standout performances over the weekend at the PLU Invitational.
Braunstein (Ridgefield, WA/Minot State) won the javelin competition at the PLU Invite with a season-best throw of 61.71m/202-5. His throw was good for an NCAA II provisional qualifying mark, No. 27 in GNAC history and is currently No. 3 in the nation at the NCAA Division II level this season. Braunstein nearly hit his personal-best collegiate mark of 62.8m/206-0 set last season while competing at Minot State.
Potts (Everett, WA/Glacier Peak) won her fourth career GNAC weekly award (third this season) by winning the shot put and discus at the PLU Invite in her 2024 outdoor debut. Potts topped a field of 19 competitors in the shot put, hitting her winning mark of 12.90m/42-4 and followed with a discus throw of 44.51m/146-0 to take first place among 18 competitors. Potts is the reigning GNAC Outdoor Track & Field champion in the discus.
Le (Tumwater, WA) had a strong start to his indoor season recording wins in the 200m and 400m at the PLU Invite. The junior topped a field of 24 competitors in the 200m with a time of 22.06 and followed with a 400m win in 48.74.
The Vikings will take this weekend off from competition and return to action at the Oregon Preview and UBC Invitational March 22-24. The complete 2024 WWU Track & Field schedule can be viewed online at
wwuvikings.com/TF.
