By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Western Washington University Track & Field team wrapped up the regular-season schedule Saturday at the Portland Twilight Meet.
The Vikings had 10 distance runners competing in the one-day meet on Eldon Fix Track at Griswold Stadium, with two program top-10 marks accomplished.
Junior Kevin McDermott continued his remarkable 2023-24 season placing 5th out of 78 competitors in the men's 1500m race clocking a personal-best time of 3:46.54 to move up to No. 5 in Western history.
Junior Sophie Wright also set a personal-best time in the women's 800m, finishing 15th out of 43 runners with a time of 2:11.56 to rank 3rd in program history while obtaining an NCAA II provisional qualifying mark. Assistant coaches Haley Stensland (6th, 2:08.11) and Mo Frazier (12th, 2:10.77) also had standout performances in the 800m.
Junior All-American Drew Weber continues to build strength back up after an early-season injury and had a season-best performance in the men's 800m placing 6th out of 63 runners with a time of 1:49.88. Weber was just off his school-record time of 1:49.34 set last season at the Bryan Clay Invitational. His time moved up to No. 14 in the nation this season while bettering his NCAA provisional mark.
Sophomore Ashley Reeck placed 4th out of 13 competitors in the 3,000m steeplechase in a time of 10:35.14, finishing behind three runners from No. 1 nationally ranked Adams State University. Junior Ila Davis placed 13th in the 5000m in a time of 17:12.12, her second-best collegiate time in the event, just off her PR of 17:08.91 set in 2023.
PORTLAND TWILIGHT RESULTS
Here is a breakdown of results for WWU competitors on Saturday at the Portland Twilight Meet:
Men's Results:
800m: Drew Weber (6th, 1:49.88), George Fernandez (35th, 1:57.71)
1500m: Kevin McDermott (5th, 3:46.54), Sten Brakstad (28th, 3:56.14), Donagh Palmer (48th, 4:03.73), Eduardo Tobon Sanchez (58th, 4:07.45)
5000m: George Karamitsos (12th, 14:28.05)
Women's Results:
800m: Sophie Wright (15th, 2:11.56)
3000m Steeplechase: Ashley Reeck (4th, 10:35.14)
5000m: Ila Davis (13th, 17:12.12)
WWU headed into the final week of the regular season ranked in the top 40 nationally for the women and top 65 for the men. Here is a look at the Vikings USTFCCCA national, regional and conference ranking:
|
WWU T&F
|
National
|
West Region
|
GNAC
|
|
Women
|
38
|
4
|
1
|
|
Men
|
63
|
5
|
1
|
WWU's next full-team competition will be the 2024 GNAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships held May 10-11 in Ellensburg. The Vikings are the defending men's and women's champions from last year's outdoor conference championships. The complete 2024 WWU Track & Field schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/TF.
