BELLINGHAM, Wash. – There is no place like home … and Kansas will be home for a record 15 Western Washington University Track & Field team members May 21-23 at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Emporia.
 
WWU had 15 student-athletes qualify for nationals – 8 on the men's team, 7 on the women's squad – marking the most for the program since joining the NCAA level in 1998-99. Competition for the Vikings opens on Thursday, May 21 at Francis G. Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University.
 
"We are excited to take a big group of Vikings to Kansas for nationals and I am confident they are ready to perform at a very high level in the biggest meet of the year," said WWU head coach Ben Stensland. "It's been an exciting year with several great performances, the GNAC team title and this record group of individuals qualifying for the national meet. Oru coaching staff has done a great job preparing these athletes for this moment. We are proud to represent WWU."
 
Competition in Kansas begins on Thursday, May 21 with sophomore Kathyrn Chapin opening the meet for the Vikings in the women's hammer throw at 3:30 pm CT/1:30 pm PT. The NCAA will provide live results and a live webcast each day of the championship with links at NCAA.com.
 
Here is a list of WWU qualifiers for nationals:
 
WWU Men's Team:

• Lucas Brenek, 400m & 4x400m Relay
• Maurice Woodring, 400m Hurdles & 4x400m Relay
• Calvin Gutierrez, Hammer Throw
• Liam Wall, Discus
• Jakob Braunstein, Javelin
• Evin Ford, 4x400m Relay
• Sam Foust, 4x400m Relay
• Jackson Moffitt, 4x400m Relay

 
WWU Women's Team:

• Bec Bennett, 400m & 4x400m Relay
• Jessica Polkinghorn, Shot Put & Javelin
• Kathryn Chapin, Hammer Throw
• Emmy Kroontje, 1500m
• Casie Kleine, 4x400m Relay
• Jayda Darroch, 4x400m Relay
• Kennedy Cook, 4x400m Relay

  The Vikings will compete at the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships May 21-23 in Emporia, Kansas. The complete 2026 WWU Track & Field schedule can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com.