Western Washington's Bec Bennett impresses with two individual school records at Spokane Invitational...
SPOKANE--For the majority of Washington's Division I and II schools, today was the opening of the 2024-25 indoor track and field season, as seven of the nine institutions participated in Saturday's Spokane Invitational at The Podium.
One of the most impressive performances on the track Saturday came from Western Washington's Bec Bennett (WWU Athletics photo).
In her debut performance, the native of Australia won the 400 in a Western Washington school record time of 54.73, which pending the outcome of several meets around the country, is the second fastest time in Division II this season.
She also tied the school record in the 200 in a fifth place finish, running 24.47, as the Huskies' Danielle Hunter won in 24.23, holding off NCAA D2 qualifier E'lexis Hollis of Central Washington, who ran 24.26.
Hollis won the women's 60 in 7.37, which is tied for the fastest time in Division II, just ahead of Washington State's NCAA 100 hurdles scorer Michaela De Mello's 7.46.
Washington State's John Paredes won the men's 60 hurdles in 7.71, which is currently number 2 on the NCAA D1 descending order list. Decathlete Jami Schlueter was fifth in a personal best 8.00.
In a highly anticipated men's 300, USA world U20 4 x 400 relay teammates Grant Buckmiller of Washington State ran 32.73 to hold off Division III standout Alex Rhodes of the University of Puget Sound.
Rhodes ran 32.91, which according to the sports information office of UPS, is the fastest time in that event run by a Division III athlete.
Rhodes will transfer to the University of Washington and begin competing for the Dawgs next season, after he finishes his stint at UPS.
On the field, Western Washington's Kora Cook defeated Central Washington's Emy Ntekpere, clearing 5-9.25 (1.76m) to 5-8.5 (1.74m), in what might be a preview of the GNAC championships at The Podium in two months time.
NCAA pole vault scorer Scott Toney of Washington won his Husky debut, as the Penn transfer cleared 17-9 (5.41m) to take the invitational men's section.
In the women's invitational pole vault, Washington State's Tatum Moku set a personal best, clearing 14-2 (4.32m).
The Huskies' NCAA and US Olympic Trials qualifier Prestin Artis won the men's long jump with a leap of 24-6.5 (7.48m), while Eastern Washington's Egypt Simmons began the road to defending her Big Sky indoor and outdoor long jump crowns, winning wit a best of 20-1 (6.12m).
NOTE: Spokane Sports and the sports information offices of Western Washington, University of Puget Sound, Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Washington State, and the University of Washington contributed to this report.
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