INDIANAPOLIS – Western Washington University junior Bec Bennett broke her own school record in the 400m during the prelims at the 2025 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday earning a spot in Saturday's final.
 
Bennett ran 54.32 in the fifth and final heat to earn the eighth and final qualifying spot. The Australia native entered nationals ranked 16th with her previous school record time of 54.40. Bennett remains at No. 2 in GNAC history with her latest school record mark. She runs in Saturday's final already having earned All-America honors with the race set for 12:35 pm PT/3:35 pm ET at the Fall Creek Pavilion at Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
 
Cal State San Marcos's Rasha Badrani had the top prelim time at 53.28 seconds with Peace Nwaelehia of West Texas A&M holding the No. 2 qualifying time in 53.72. Bennett is in line to become the third All-American in the event in GNAC indoor history and the first since Ali Anderson from Central Washington in 2018.
 
Bennett is scheduled to race again Friday afternoon in the women's DMR final at 2:40 pm PT/5:40 pm ET. The relay squad of Sophie Wright (1200m), Bec Bennett (400m), Emmy Kroontje (800m) and Ila Davis (1600m) enter nationals ranked No. 9 nationally with the top time set at the UW Invite. Last season the DMR placed 9th to narrowly miss a spot on the podium for All-America honors.
 
Here is a look at WWU's remaining schedule at indoor nationals in Indianapolis:
 

• Women's DMR – Friday, March 14 (5:40 pm ET/2:40 pm PT)
• Bec Bennett (400m Final) – Saturday, March 15 (3:35 pm ET/12:35 pm PT)
• Kora Cook (High Jump) – Saturday, March 15 (3:55 pm ET/12:55 pm PT)
• Kevin McDermott (3000m) – Saturday, March 15 (5 pm ET/2 pm PT)

 
The NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships will feature live timing to follow all the results and a live (and free) webcast will be streamed online at NCAA.com.