BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University Track & Field head coach Ben Stensland was selected as the GNAC Men's and Women's Coach of the Year for the 2025 indoor season.
 
WWU swept the podium with a pair of team titles at the GNAC Indoor Championships for the second consecutive season, with Stensland winning the award in back-to-back seasons.
 
The Vikings have experienced unprecedented team success under Stensland's leadership, currently in the midst of 12 consecutive team titles across the sports of women's and men's cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field dating back to the spring of 2023.
 
Stensland was quick to credit the entire coaching staff for this honor, dubbing the group the GNAC Staff of the Year. Stensland missed the GNAC Indoor Championships along with partner and assistant coach Haley Stensland, who welcomed a baby son to their family.
 
"It's been another fantastic year of indoor track and field for the Vikings, with 11 school records, handful of All-American awards, and two more conference titles," said Stensland. "A lot of work has gone into making the program what it is and much of the credit goes to our incredible coaching staff. They put a lot of time and energy into fostering our student-athlete development. But what I am most proud of is the culture first commitment that our coaches and athletes have been able to build."
 
The WWU Track & Field program utilizes several assistant coaches across many event specialties to guide the Vikings in competition:

• Ben Stensland, Head Coach
• T.J. Garlatz, Distance Coach
• Damien Fisher, Throws & Strength Coach
• Haley Stensland, Distance Coach
• Marian Ledesma, Graduate Assistant & Recruiting Coordinator
• Peter Allen, Assistant Coach (Hurdles)
• Dena Birade, Assistant Coach (Sprints)
• Laurent Birade, Assistant Coach (Hurdles)
• Ryan Brown, Assistant Coach (Pole Vault)
• Somit Chhim, Assistant Coach (Jumps)
• Conner Johnsen, Assistant Coach (Distance)
• Kaleb Korta, Assistant Coach (Distance)
• Daphne Scott, Assistant Coach (Multis)