BELLINGHAM, Wash. –Western Washington University Track & Field and Cross Country has officially found its new leader with the appointment of Ben Stensland as the program's head coach.
 
A longtime assistant coach for the Vikings and interim head coach since the retirement of Pee Wee Halsell, Stensland has helped lead the Vikings to eight Great Northwest Athletic Conference team titles during his time as the leader of the program. WWU swept the podium winning all six possible team titles during the 2023-24 academic year in men's and women's GNAC championships for cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field.
 
Stensland won all six possible GNAC Coach of the Year awards in 2023-24, including the outdoor awards announced Friday by the conference office.
 
"We are beyond thrilled to make this announcement official for our track & field and cross country program," said WWU Director of Athletics Jim Sterk. "Ben has proven to be a great leader of our student-athletes during his time as an assistant coach and interim head coach. Making this step is a natural fit for Ben and our program. He is a true Viking and can't wait to see all the great things ahead for this program."
 
A Western graduate and former student-athlete, Stensland has been part of the WWU Track & Field coaching staff for 12 years. He rejoined the program in 2016-17 after serving one year as an assistant coach at Western Oregon University.
 
"It has been such a honor to serve this program for the last several years and I couldn't be more grateful for the privilege to lead our program and to work alongside such an amazing staff and incredible student-athletes," said Stensland. "Our program will strive for athletic excellence built on core values of attitude, effort and community."
 
During his time at WWU, Stensland has been instrumental in coaching several All-GNAC, All-Region and All-American student-athletes working primarily with sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers, multi athletes and javelin throwers. He has helped mentor national champion javelin throwers Monika Gruszecki (2011) and Bethany Drake (2014, 2017) as well as four-time All-American javelin thrower Katie Reichert (2012-2016).
 
In all, Stensland has coached over 20 NCAA Division II All-Americans and written training programs for several more during his coaching tenure. During his time as a coach at WWU the Vikings have won 16 GNAC team titles.
 
A native of Sequim, Stensland was a three-sport athlete at Ventura Junior College (football, baseball, track & field) and competed for the football team at WWU. He earned his exercise science degree from Western in 2009.