LONG BEACH & AZUSA, Calif. and PORTLAND, Ore. – The Western Washington University Track & Field program wrapped up a busy weekend of competition Saturday at three meets in California and Oregon.

 

The women's 4x400 relay team of Caitlyn Cheney, Annabelle Heiman, Kennedy Cook and Marian Ledesma highlighted the performances recording the No. 2 time in WWU history in the event in 3:48.67 at the Bryan Clay Invitational. The relay obtained an NCAA II provisional qualifying mark and is the fastest time in the GNAC this season.

 

Junior Kevin McDermott recorded a personal-best time of 3:47.62 at the Bryan Clay Invitational to rank No. 6 in Western history in the 1500m race to obtain an NCAA provisional qualifying mark. His time is the 2nd-fastest in the GNAC this season in the event.

 

At the Larry Byerly Invitational in Portland, sophomore Hannah Polkinghorn won the long jump in a field of 22 competitors, recording an outdoor collegiate PR with a leap of 5.31m/17-5.25. Also won the 200m with a PR time of 25.53 and placed 4th in the 100m with a personal-best time of 12.43 to just miss a spot in the WWU all-time top 10.

 

Across four meets over three days of competition, WWU student-athletes recorded three school records, 15 program top 10 marks and eight NCAA provisional qualifying marks.

 

Here is a breakdown of results for WWU competitors on Saturday at the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific University at Cougar Athletic Stadium:

 

Men's Results:

100m: Ryan Greenwalt (93rd, 11.12)

200m: Brian Le (73rd, 22.25)

400m: Brian Le (45th, 48.63), Lucas Brenek (56th, 49.05)

1500m: Kevin McDermott (108th-invite, 3:47.62), Drew Weber (127th-open A, 3:52.05), Connor Palmen (23rd-open C, 3:56.79)

5000m: Jared Alderfer (49th, 14:49.50)

400m Hurdles: Jaden Edwards (46th, 55.76)

4x100 Relay: 10th, 41.53 (Brenek, Greenwalt, Mickenham Fischer)

Long Jump: Ryan Greenwalt (50th, 6.65m/21-10)

Javelin: Jakob Braunstein (14th, 54.42m/178-6)

 

Women's Results:

100m: Caitlyn Cheney (48th, 12.23)

1500m: Sophie Wright (173rd-open A, 4:38.73), Emmy Kroontje (104th-open B, 4:43.50)

4x400 Relay: 12th, 3:48.67 (Cheney, Heiman, Cook, Ledesma)

 

Here is a breakdown of results for WWU competitors at The Beach Invitational hosted by Long Beach State University at Jack Rose Track:

 

Men's Results:

Shot Put: Angelo Ramos (58th, 14.00m/45-11.25)

 

Women's Results:

100m Hurdles: Kora Cook (64th, 17.07)

Shot Put: Mara Parks (45th, 12.84m/42-1.5), Katie Potts (46th, 12.82m/42-0.75)

 

Here is a breakdown of results for WWU competitors at the Larry Byerly Invitational hosted by Lewis & Clark College at Eldon Fix Track in Portland.

 

Men's Results:

100m: Ethan Johnson (11th, 10.94)

200m: Ethan Johnson (8th, 22.37)

400m: Denzel Pinto (12th, 50.93)

 

Women's Results:

100m: Hannah Polkinghorn (4th, 12.43)

200m: Hannah Polkinghorn (1st, 25.53)

Long Jump: Hannah Polkinghorn (1st, 5.31m/17-5.25)

 

Here is a look at the 15 top 10 marks achieved in program history during the trip to Southern California:

 

• Marian Ledesma – No. 1 in 800m (2:08.94)
• Caitlyn Cheney – No. 1 in 100m (11.91)
• Ryan Clough – No. 1 in 10,000m (29:35.91)
• Women's 4x400 Relay – No. 2 (3:48.67)
• Meaera Nystrom – No. 3 in 10,000m (36:18.94)
• Sophie Wright – No. 3 in 800m (2:12.40)
• Nolan Mickenham – No. 4 in 100m (10.60)
• Annabelle Heiman – No. 5 in 100m (12.19)
• Ashley Reeck – No. 5 in 5000m (17:02.41)
• Kevin McDermott – No. 6 in 1500m (3:47.62)
• Sydney Mohlman – No. 8 in Pole Vault (3.61m/11-10)
• Emma Smith – No. 9 in 10,000m (37:13.42)
• Jeret Gillingham – No. 9 in 5000m (14:27.07)
• Gabe Menicke – No. 9 in Triple Jump (14.47m/47-5.75)
• Connor Palmen – No. 10 in 800m (1:52.37)

 

Next week the Vikings are scheduled to compete in the CWU Wildcat Invitational in Ellensburg. The complete 2024 WWU Track & Field schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/TF.