Wednesday, April 20, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore.  – Participating in some of the most competitive meets of the season across the west coast, the Western Washington track and field team put together some impressive performances, earning the GNAC’s Red Lion Team of the Week award.

Headlining the Vikings’ week was senior sprinter Alex Donigian, who set the GNAC record in the 200 meters with a time of 20.93 seconds at the Bryan Clay Invitational. In a loaded field in the 100 meters, Donigian also placed third with a time of 10.37 seconds, finishing ahead of decathlon world record holder Ashton Eaton.

Western Washington dominated the women’s javelin, with four top-10 placers at the Bryan Clay Invitational, led by Bethany Drake’s second place finish with a long throw of 156 feet, 7 inches. Katie Reichert took third place at 155 feet, 4 inches, followed by Mariah Horton (146-7) in fifth and Anosi Laupola (141-1) for eighth.

The Vikings had a number of strong finishes at the Beach Invitational in Long Beach, Calif. Senior hurdler Travis Milbrant record his best time of the season of 14.41 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles taking ninth place. Sophomore J.T. Konrad cleared 4.73 meters in the men’s pole vault, reaching the eighth best mark in school history. Sophomore Deja Svastisalee ran the ninth fastest time in the 400 meter hurdles for the Vikings, finishing in 1 minute, 3.44 seconds.

Up north in Eugene, Ore., at the Oregon Relays, Shawna Troupe and Kali Klotz-Brooks hit the sixth and seventh best times in Western Washington history in the women’s 1,500 meters. Troupe took 20th in the event at 4:35.86, followed closely by Klotz-Brooks at 4:35.90 for 21st place.

Junior Brittany Grant placed sixth in the women’s 3,000 meter steeplechase, hitting the fourth best mark in WWU history at 10:52.48. Senior Taylor Guenther took 11th place in the women’s 5,000 meters in 17:04.68, marking the fourth best time for Western Washington.

The Vikings return to competition on Sat., Apr. 23 at the CWU Spike Arlt Invitational in Ellensburg, Wash., and will host their lone home meet of the season, the Ralph Vernacchia Invitational, on Sat., Apr. 30. The GNAC Multi-Event Championships approach on May. 2 and 3 in Lacey, Wash.