PULLMAN, Wash. – The Central Washington University Track & Field team turned in an outstanding performance Friday at the WSU Cougar Classic, earning multiple event victories, personal bests, and NCAA Division II national qualifying marks at Mooberry Track & Field Complex. The Women's team took home first place in the meet with 178 points, beating out NCAA Division I programs Idaho, Eastern Washington, and the hosting Cougars from Washington State while the men's team placed second with 77 points after Idaho who had 99 points but finished ahead of EWU and WSU.
MEET INFORMATION:
Meet: WSU Cougar Classic
Location: Mooberry Track & Field Complex (Pullman, Wash.)
Results
QUOTING CWU HEAD TRACK & FIELD COACH JONATHAN HILL:
"It's an honor to compete at WSU. Our athletes have a deep respect for the program's rich history, and it brings meaning to every event for us.
Being within a week of our championships, we had a couple of goals: qualify and polish. We accomplished both goals.
It wasn't our primary focus, but our women won the meet and made the statement that we're one of the best teams in the Northwest. It was a strong all-around effort with big contributions from distance and throws."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Central Washington delivered a strong all-around showing at the WSU Cougar Classic, highlighted by multiple event victories, personal bests, and nationally ranked performances.
Freshman Colton Magruder led the men's sprints with wins in both the 100 meters (10.62) and 200 meters (21.04). His personal-best time in the 200 moved him to No. 23 in NCAA Division II this season and fourth all-time in GNAC history. Senior Elise Hopper added another victory for the Wildcats in the women's 200 meters, crossing the line in 23.76.
The Wildcats also dominated the women's 4x400 relay, as Ellie DeGroot, Carley Huber, Donna Marie Harris, and Hopper teamed up for a first-place finish in 3:41.54. The season-best mark ranks No. 9 nationally and broke their own CWU school record to place third in GNAC history. DeGroot also won the women's 400-meter hurdles in 1:00.56, while Harris placed second in the women's 400 meters in 57.78.
In distance events, Luke Hurd won the men's 5000 meters in 15:16.08, leading a Wildcats sweep of the top three with Kellen McInelly second and Ares Van Straaten third. On the women's side, Lillian Neff won the 5000 meters in a personal-best 17:45.55, followed closely by Hannah Pidduck in second with another personal best.
In the field events, Cariann Bryant claimed the women's pole vault title, while Tehya Moore placed second in the triple jump with an NCAA Division II top-50 mark. Cal'von Baker added a runner-up finish in the men's high jump, and Dan Close, Bailey Board, and Maliyah Gordon each recorded third-place finishes in the throws.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to Ellensburg, Wash., for the GNAC Combined Events on Monday, April 27and Tuesday, April 28, at the Recreation Sports Complex.
