By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
PUEBLO, Colo. – Led by a Second Team All-America performance by senior
Ila Davis in the 3000m Steeplechase, the Western Washington University Track & Field program wrapped up the second day of competition at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl.
Just over 24 hours after grabbing the 12th and final qualifying spot for the 3,000m Steeplechase final, senior
Ila Davis completed her historic collegiate career finishing 10th to earn Second Team All-America honors (placed 9-12). Davis turned in a time of 10:58.85 while competing at outdoor nationals in her marquee event for the fourth time. The Spokane native earned First Team All-America honors as a junior in 2024.
"Ila has been an absolute joy to mentor during her career at WWU," said WWU assistant coach and distance lead
T.J. Garlatz. "She has a special spirit and tenacity that has transformed our program positively in so many ways. She raises up her teammates and makes everyone better - both as athletes and ad people. She's a one of one."
Senior
Katie Potts made her nationals debut in her marquee discus event, placing 19th out of 22 competitors. Potts, who entered the meet seeded No. 21, moved up two spots with a top mark of 45.21m/148-4 on the final throw of her collegiate career. Potts set the WWU record in the event with a PR toss of 48.15m/158-0 at the Pee Wee Halsell Invitational.
"We could not have asked for a better student-athlete than
Katie Potts," said WWU Throws Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coach
Damien Fisher. "Her four GNAC titles, double-digit All-GNAC awards, multiple school records and NCAA qualifying marks are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her contributions to the Track & Field program over her six years at WWU, arguably secondary to her impact on the culture of the team during the post-pandemic transition period. The unprecedented success the women's team has experienced recently does not happen without Katie and those like her. We are immensely proud of her and the person she has grown into, and look forward to seeing her continue to succeed as she moves into the professional world."
Competition concludes Saturday with four Vikings competing for a podium spot. Sophomore
Maurice Woodring qualified for the finals in the 400m hurdles with a personal-best time of 50.95 to for the 7th-fastest qualifying time. He races at 7:35 pm MT/6:35 pm PT. Junior
Jakob Braunstein competes in the javelin, freshman
Jessica Polkinghorn in the shot put and senior
Kevin McDermott in the 5000m.
The event features daily live coverage via webcast at
NCAA.com and live results via
Leone Timing. Here is a look at WWU's remaining schedule of events at the NCAA Outdoor Championships by athlete and event, with times listed both pacific (in Bellingham) and mountain (competition time in Colorado):
