PORTLAND, Ore. – Day one of the 2025 Northwest Conference Track & Field Championships kicked off with standout performances at Lewis & Clark College's Griswold Stadium.
After day one, George Fox leads over the field by 39 points on the men’s side, amassing 96 through two final track events and four field events. Whitworth is in second place with 57 points, while Willamette occupies third with 51.
The Bruins secured another large lead on the women’s side, taking a 44 point lead into day two. Fox finished with 97 points, while Whitworth is in second place with 53. Linfield sits in third with 31.5 points to round out the top three.
Ryan Stracke of Pacific Lutheran claimed the first title of the day, winning the men’s 10,000-meter run in 30:11.56. Stracke stayed with the lead pack—featuring teammate and runner-up Owen Ladinig and Lewis & Clark’s Evan Markelz, who finished third—before pulling away over the final 2,000 meters for the victory.
On the women’s side, Lewis & Clark’s Riley Buese thrilled the home crowd by winning the women’s 10,000-meter run in 37:24.16. The victory made Buese just the second woman in conference history, alongside Whitworth’s Leslie Nelson (2002–04), to claim three career 10,000-meter titles. Sarah Pullen of George Fox finished second, followed by Kezlie Thygesen of Whitworth in third.
Preliminary heats dominated the remainder of the track schedule as athletes vied for spots in Sunday's finals. Notable performances included Blake Smith of George Fox (110m Hurdles, 14.87), Allyson Hammond of Pacific (100m Hurdles, 14.32; 100m, 12.20; 200m, 24.78), Avery Keith of Puget Sound (400m, 49.19), Elizabeth Beiswanger of Puget Sound (400m, 56.69), Camden Schmidt of Whitworth (100m, 10.78; 200m, 21.69), Aidan Arthur of George Fox (800m, 1:53.26), Ellie Rising of George Fox (800m, 2:15.53), Myles Crandall of Willamette (400m Hurdles, 54.51), and Katherine Thornton of Willamette (400m Hurdles, 1:04.74).
The 3,000-meter steeplechase was the only other track final of the day. Gavin Grass of George Fox captured the men’s title with a time of 9:10.94, narrowly defeating teammate Kellen Ruiz and Whitworth’s James Dugenet. On the women’s side, Pacific’s Morgan Boddy secured the crown in 11:19.27, finishing ahead of George Fox’s Breanna Schmitt and Lewis & Clark’s Madeleine Boyle.
Field events also featured championship moments. Luke Nelson of George Fox took home the men's pole vault title with a mark of 15-03.75, besting Elijah Jones of Willamette and Andrew Strawn of Whitworth. In the women’s long jump, Linfield’s Kira Hawaaboo successfully defended her title with a leap of 19-01.25, ahead of Victoria Azar of George Fox and Madison Downey of Pacific Lutheran.
Kaleb McArthur of Willamette won the men's long jump with a season-best mark of 23-00.00, topping Seth Kramer of Pacific Lutheran and teammate Niko White.
Wrapping up the action at Griswold Stadium, Grace Tully of George Fox defended her women’s pole vault title, clearing 12-00.75 to finish ahead of teammate Anna Wilson and Linfield’s Analissa Paresa.
Action continued as the field events shifted to Pacific University where Roan Bashioum of Willamette finished with a throw of 165-02 for the men’s hammer win, beating out Cody Wheeler of Whitworth and Micah Ragaza-Bourassa of Pacific Lutheran.
Ellena Corwin of George Fox followed up with a new #8 mark for Division III this season and a personal season best throw of 140-04 in the women’s javelin.Devyn Chelin of Whitworth finished second in the event, with Linfield’s Kira Hawaaboo placing third.
In the women’s hammer throw, Madison Carr of Whitworth had a dominant win with a mark of 164-09. Devyn Chelin of Whitworth and Eva Wirth of Pacific Lutheran finished second and third behind Carr.
Rounding out the field events on day one was the men’s javelin, with George Fox freshman Darrin Campbell setting the #8 NCAA DIII mark of the season at 213-08. Darius Chaffin finished second while Steeley Mucken of Willamette placed third.
Day two of the NWC Championships will resume at 10 am on Sunday, April 27th at Griswold Stadium.