By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – In its first big outdoor competition of the season, the Western Washington University distance crew had a strong showing at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic.
WWU sent a large contingent of runners to the two-day meet held at Cox Stadium on the campus of San Francisco State University. The Vikings combined for seven top 10 program marks, three NCAA II provisional qualifying marks and one program record by Emmy Kroontje in the 1500m.
Here are some highlights from the Mike Fanelli Track Classic.
KROONTJE SETS WWU RECORD IN 1500
Senior Emmy Kroontje continued her stellar final collegiate season, breaking the 11-year-old school record in the 1500m placing 4th out of 176 runners with a time of 4:26.27. Kroontje broke the old mark of 4:29.71 set by current assistant coach Haley Stensland (O'Connor) set in 2015 by over three seconds. The NCAA II provisional qualifying mark ranks No. 11 in the nation. Kroontje also set a PR in the 800m with a time of 2:12.07 moving up to No. 5 in WWU history.
BILLINGS AND BRAKSTAD REPRESENT IN 5K
Sophomores Jonah Billings and Sten Brakstad both recorded top 10 program times in the 5000m, with Billings establishing an NCAA II provisional qualifying mark (No. 11 in the nation). Billings placed 11th out of 207 runners in the event running a PR of 14:09.01 for the No. 2 time in program history to rank No. 7 in GNAC history. Brakstad clocked a time of 14:15.35 to move up to No. 5 in WWU history.
ALDERFER SETS PR IN STEEPLECHASE
Senior Jared Alderfer set a PR in the 3,000m steeplechase placing 3rd out of 51 runners in the event with a time of 9:00.54. The time is No. 5 in WWU history, currently No. 8 in the nation for NCAA II and just outside of the top 10 in GNAC history. Sophomore George Fernandez also placed in the top 10 in the event in 10th with a time of 9:12.50.
EDENS SETS PR IN STEEPLECHASE
Junior Ella Edens set a PR in the 3000m Steeplechase placing 22nd out of 63 runners with a time of 11:07.51. The time moved Edens into the top 10 in program history at No. 10 and is the 2nd-fastest time by a GNAC runner in the event this season. Sophomore Skye Stenehjem placed 30th just missing a PR with a time of 11:18.53 (collegiate best is 11:13.81).
RESEIGH SETS TOP 10 MARK IN 800
Sophomore Nathan Reseigh set a PR in the 800m placing 7th out of 251 competitors with a time of 1:51.49. The time is 7th in WWU history and the 4th-best time by a GNAC runner this season. WWU was well-represented in the event with eight competitors, with senior Will Henry placing 17th (1:52.11) and freshman Nate Rumberger setting a PR in 1:53.50.
WWU is back in action on Saturday, April 11 crossing the border to compete in the Battle of Sparta hosted by Trinity Western University at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley, B.C. Links to follow results from all competitions are listed on the 2026 schedule at WWUVikings.com.
