PORTLAND, Ore. – Fresh off their 2024 outdoor multi-event debuts, Drew Klein and Ellie DeGroot earn Men’s and Women’s GNAC Field Athletes of the Week honors.

QUOTING HEAD COACH JONATHAN HILL 

“I’m so proud of Drew for his commitment to the process.  We got back to basics and focused on some technical issues that were holding him back. We had goals this week of competing composed and executing our cue system to give us an honest look at what we need to work on.  He’s in a good spot, healthy and motivated, and ready to make a push for another strong showing at GNAC’s. 

Ellie’s breakout hept was coming.  Despite being sidelined most of last week with a sprained ankle, Ellie was courageous enough to attempt 7 events last weekend.  She knew she was ready for a new high score and didn’t want to wait.  I’m glad we did, because she came out of the meet healthy, with a nice score, and she learned a lot about herself and what good hepts are all about.  She competed hard and had personal bests in 5 of 7 events. We know there is more there and we are excited to get back to work, find more points, and get a new high score!” 

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCES

In his first decathlon of the season, Drew Klein earned a 300-point PR finishing out all 10 events with a final score of 6881 points. Klein started off the meet with a PR in the 100m, covering the distance in 11.38 seconds. He then followed it up with solid performances in the long jump, shot put, and high jump before finishing off day one with another PR, this time in the 400m running 50.72 seconds. Much like day one, Klein opened day two with his third PR, running the 110m hurdles in 15.20 seconds. That time alone is the fourth fastest in the GNAC this year. An event win in the pole vault propelled Klein to NCAA provisional qualifying score. Klein score is currently number one in the GNAC, number three in CWU history, and number three in all of division II.  

Ellie DeGroot adds a second GNAC Athlete of the Week award to her resume, with a big PR score of 4881 points in the heptathlon. DeGroot was setting new PRs left and right, coming away with four PRs (100mH, shot put, 200m & javelin) in the seven events she competed in. Her PRs in the 100m hurdles and 200m put her in fourth and fifth in the GNAC respectively. Her score of 4881 points is currently number one in the GNAC, number two in CWU history, and number four in all of division II. This is DeGroot’s second NCAA provisional qualifying mark after qualifying in the 400m hurdles earlier this year.