Six WSU Cougars, led by vaulters Eva Lowder & Tatum Moku, find new homes at Grand Canyon University...

A group of six field event athletes from Washington State have now found homes to continue their collegiate athletic careers at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, led by NCAA pole vault qualifiers Eva Lowder and Tatum Moku (Paul Merca photos).

Lowder and Moku qualified for the last two NCAA indoor championships, with Lowder qualifying in 2024, and Moku qualifying this past March.

Lowder, a native of Boise, Idaho, finished 15th in the 2024 NCAA indoors with a best of 13-7.25 (4.15m), while Moku finished eleventh in the 2025 NCAA indoor with a best of 13-11.25 (4.25m).

Moku, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, leaves Washington State as the school's indoor and outdoor record holder in the event, clearing 14-7.5 (4.46m), set in Boston at the Boston University Last Chance Meet, and outdoors at 14-9 (4.50m), set in Spokane at Whitworth University.

Lowder, who was the first one outside qualifying for the 2024 US Olympic Trials, leaves Washington State with a personal best of 14-4.5 (4.38m).

Also signing to compete for the Lopes next season are pole vaulters Chloe Metz and Gavin Dimick, both from California; combined events specialist Erik Larripa Taxell from Sweden; and jumper Antoni Smith from Colorado.

All six are following GCU associate head coach Derick Hinch, who was one of the three Washington State assistant coaches let go after the NCAA championships in June after the announcement by the school that it was transitioning its track and cross country teams into "a distance-focused approach."

The decision by the school eliminated field events as well as sprints and hurdles.

NOTE: The sports information office of Grand Canyon University and Washington State University contributed to this report.

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