EUGENE, Ore. – The Western Washington University Track & Field team was back in action Friday during the first day of the Oregon Preview at Historic Hayward Field.
 
A large contingent of Vikings made the long drive south to Eugene and battled through the rainy conditions during the first day of competition.
 
Senior Kevin McDermott made his outdoor season debut winning the 1500m in 3:48.39, the top mark among 57 runners in the field. Less than a week after earning Second Team All-America honors at the NCAA II Indoor Championships placing 10th in the 3000m, McDermott ran one of the fastest early-season times in D2. Junior Connor Palmen placed 16th in 3:58.23 and sophomore Nathan Reseigh was 25th in a PR time of 3:59.80.
 
Junior Elie Bassett finished 2nd in the women's 3000m steeplechase with a personal-best time of 11:09.19 to record the 9th-best time in WWU history. Bassett was one of three Vikings in the race with junior Laura Halsell finishing 5th in 11:15.54 and freshman Skye Stenehjem 6th in 11:23.46.
 
Senior Emma Smith ran a PR in the 5000m placing 8th in 17:30.79, followed closely by teammates junior Ashley Reeck in 9th (17:36.51) and junior Alexis Parker in 10th (PR - 17:39.80).
 
Senior Miller Campbell led WWU's throwers placing 5th out of 15 competitors in the hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 56.43m185-1 to move up to No. 4 in WWU history.
  WWU closes out competition at the Oregon Preview Saturday with field events beginning at 11:30 am and track events at 2:05 pm. Junior Bec Bennett is scheduled to run in the 400m at the Willie Williams Classic at 12:30 pm in Tucson, Arizona. The complete 2025 WWU Track & Field schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/TF.