By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
SEATTLE, Wash. – Looking to make a statement with the indoor season winding down, Western Washington University senior Kevin McDermott did exactly that Friday evening at the Husky Classic in Dempsey Indoor.
McDermott bettered his own school record in the 3000m with a time of 7:57.88 to move up to No. 3 in GNAC history (previous best was 7:59.27 in 2024). The senior from Port Orchard also likely punched his ticket to nationals with a mark that should fall well within the national top 10. McDermott was a three-time gold medalist at least year's GNAC Indoor Championships and competed at nationals in the 3000m and 5000m.
The Vikings also had a strong performance in the hurdles Friday with freshman Ari Nguyen setting a PR in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.13 to place 16th out of 21 competitors in the event. The mark is 5th-best in WWU history.
Freshman Augustas Haynes placed 8th in the 60m hurdle final clocking 8.58 after recording a preliminary qualifying time of 8.53.
Freshman Ethan Hong was the lone Viking to compete in multiple events Friday, placing 9th in the prelims of the 60m hurdles (9.24) and 9th in the 200m (24.26).
Freshman Tristan Bahm competed in the men's weight throw placing 11th with a mark of 14.33m/47-0.25.
Ryan Greenwalt, a senior for the upcoming outdoor season who expired his indoor eligibility last season, placed 3rd in the 200m with a time of 21.80 while competing unattached.
The Vikings will have a small group of competitors Saturday at the Husky Classic with a majority of the team traveling Sunday to the GNAC Championships opening competition Monday morning at The Podium.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE HUSKY CLASSIC
The Husky Classic features live results and a webcast for fans to follow the action from Dempsey Indoor:
THE HUSKY CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Here is a look at Saturday's competitors in the Husky Classic:
Saturday, February 15:
- 10 am – Men's Shot Put (Wall, Simicich, Pytte)
- 10:10 am – Men's 60m dash (J. Johnson)
- 10:55 am – Women's Mile (Wright)
- 12:45 pm – Women's 800m (Crocker, Kroontje)
Heading into this weekend's competition and the GNAC Championships, here is where the Vikings rank in the USTFCCCA polls:
- Women: National (#18), West Region (#2), GNAC (#1)
- Men: National (#46), West Region (#1), GNAC (#1)
The Vikings are the defending conference champions from last year's indoor championships, marking the first indoor title sweep in program history. Dating back to the 2022 calendar year, the WWU men have won eight of nine possible titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor, while the women have combined for six of nine titles. The Western track & field and cross country program has a current string of 10 consecutive team titles across men's and women's dating back to the 2023 outdoor championships.
WWU is set to defend the men's and women's team titles at the 2025 GNAC Indoor Track & Field Championships February 17-18 (Monday-Tuesday) at The Podium in Spokane. The complete indoor schedule is available online at WWUVikings.com.
