May 22, 2014

Video interview with Alex Donigian by Mark Moschetti

Video interview with Katelyn Steen by Mark Moschetti

ALLENDALE, Mich. - Western Washington University's Katelyn Steen (Jr., Sammamish/Eastlake) was the top qualifier in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase prelims and the Vikings' Alex Donigian (So., Mission Viejo, CA/Trabuco Hills) broke his own school record to qualify in the men's 100 in first-day action Thursday at the NCAA Division II National Outdoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Grand Valley State University Stadium.

Earlier in the day, WWU's Lindsay Wells (Sr., Seattle Nathan Hale) placed 12th in the women's hammer with a mark of 169-5.

Steen's winning time in her steeplechase heat was 10:39.10. She pulled away with just over two laps remaining and ran away from the field.

"The race didn't go the way that I thought it would," said Steen, "but I felt really good. I'm thrilled."

The steeplechase final is scheduled for Friday at 4:25 p.m. PT.

"I would like to pull off something wonderful," Steen said.

Steen entered the competition ranked fifth nationally in the steeplechase with a school record and Great Northwest Athletic Conference meet winning time of 10:34.40.

Donigian had a 10.46 clocking in the 100 as he placed second in his heat.

"To have that time and not have ideal form is the best thing that I could have hoped for," said Donigian. "There is definitely room for improvement. I stumbled out of the blocks the first two steps."

The 100 final is at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday.

A provisional national qualifier in the hammer each of her four years, Wells was making her first trip to nationals. She entered the competition ranked 11th with a school-record effort of 182-4. Two weeks ago, Wells won the GNAC title for the third straight year.

"She competed well," said WWU head coach Pee Wee Halsell (27th year) of Wells' performance at nationals. "Her last throw hit the net a little bit, and I think that was the one that would have gotten her into the finals."

In all, eight Vikings are participating at nationals.

On Friday at 11 a.m. PT, Frank Catelli (So., Sequim) competes in the men's discus.

On Saturday, John Haskin (So., Bainbridge Island) and Slater Hirst (Jr., Shoreline/Kings) are in the men's javelin at 8 a.m. PT, Bethany Drake (So., Sandy, OR) and Katie Reichert (Jr., Longview/Kelso) are in the women's javelin at 11 a.m. PT, and Catelli is in the shot put at 11:15 a.m. PT.