Central Washington University President Jim Wohlpart (left center), Athletic Director Dennis Francois (left) and Women's Basketball Head Coach Randi Richardson present Asher Cai with a commemorative basketball prior to Saturday's game after she broke the GNAC all-time scoring record.
Central Washington University President Jim Wohlpart (left center), Athletic Director Dennis Francois (left) and Women's Basketball Head Coach Randi Richardson present Asher Cai with a commemorative basketball prior to Saturday's game after she broke the GNAC all-time scoring record.

GNAC POTW: Cai breaks GNAC all-time WBB scoring record

2/2/2026 11:17:31 AM

By: Evan O'Kelly, Associate Commissioner for Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. – Central Washington’s Asher Cai broke the Great Northwest Athletic Conference women’s basketball career scoring record on Thursday night at Nicholson Pavilion, headlining the latest batch of GNAC Players of the Week released on Monday.
 
GNAC Women's Basketball All-Time Scoring Leaders
Rank Points Player School Career
1. 2,029 Asher Cai Central Washington 2022-26
2. 2,001 Alisha Breen Montana State Billings 2013-15, 27-18
3. 1,960 Sunny Huerta Central Washington 2021-25
4. 1,946 Erin Chambers Simon Fraser 2011-15
5. 1,940 Taylor Peacocke Western Washington 2013-17
6. 1,831 Bobbi Knudsen Montana State Billings 2010-14
7. 1,783 Jordan Wilson Alaska 2013-17
8. 1,752 Rebecca Kielpinski Alaska Anchorage 2005-09
9. 1,696 Rose Shaw Central Washington 1998-02
10. 1,654 Amanda Dunbar Western Washington 2007-11

 
9840
Last Thursday, CWU's Asher Cai became the second woman in GNAC history to eclipse 2,000-career points.

9628WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Asher Cai – Central Washington University
Fifth-career player of the week, second this season.
 
Cai became the second player in GNAC history to reach 2,000-career points, surpassing Montana State Billings’ Alisha Breen’s conference record of 2,001 points at home on Thursday. Cai averaged a GNAC-best 23.0 points per game in last week’s contests, shooting 50.0% overall (16-for-32) while adding 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Cai, who broke the GNAC record for made 3-pointers earlier this year (269 and counting), upped her conference-leading scoring average to 23.0 points per game as the Wildcats moved to 10-1 in league play and remained atop the GNAC standings. Cai ranks fourth in GNAC history with a career scoring average of 17.96 points per game.
 
CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson: “Asher has been playing extremely consistently and at an elite level week in and week out, and last week was no different. Asher’s consistency over her four-year career has led her to achieving three massive milestones over the last three weeks. I know Asher and she would have preferred to come out with two wins this week, but this achievement is one that is special and one that deserves to be recognized. She has committed so much of herself to our team’s and her own personal development. She is a player you dream to have in your program and her commitment with her talent level is a rarity these days. Congrats to Asher – we are so happy for her and are proud that she’s a Wildcat.”
 
Also Nominated: Taylor Searcey, Alaska Anchorage; Tamai Mancuso, Alaska; Cassie Chesnut, Montana State Billings; Kelly Garrity, Northwest Nazarene; Jada Travis, Saint Martin’s; Grace Leasure, Seattle Pacific; Rachel Loukes, Simon Fraser; Olivia Hodges, Western Washington.
 

9727MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dennis Johnson III – Western Washington University
Second-career player of the week, second this season.
 
Johnson III scooped up his second weekly award of the season, helping lead the Viking men to a pair of crucial victories at home last week. Johnson III scored a season-high 28 points on 9-for-15 shooting in WWU’s 96-89 comeback win over the Alaska Nanooks on Saturday, as the Vikings overcame a 15-point deficit midway through the second half to emerge with the win. Johnson III also had a season-high six assists, six rebounds, two steals and zero turnovers while playing 38 minutes in the contest. In Thursday’s 84-75 win over Alaska Anchorage, he contributed 19 points, six boards, three steals and a pair of assists in 36 minutes. The true freshman nudged his season scoring average into double figures with the productive week, as he now sits at 10.5 points per game.
 
WWU Head Coach Tony Dominguez: “I am very excited for Dennis and his progression this season, especially last week. He has really worked at his game both mentally and physically and is finding spots to assist with leading our team. He was very good at managing our team and knowing when and where to be aggressive. He was an important piece to having success against two very good teams.”
 
Also Nominated: Sylas Williams, Alaska Anchorage; Mike Miller, Alaska; Bradley Swillie, Central Washington; Mason Landdeck, Montana State Billings; Easton Reagan, Northwest Nazarene; Kaden Hansen, Saint Martin’s; Theo McMillan, Seattle Pacific; Zach Stone, Simon Fraser; Jadin Penigar, Western Oregon.
 

9828SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Miah Lusk – Northwest Nazarene
Fourth-career pitcher of the week, first this season.
 
Not only did Lusk throw the GNAC’s first no-hitter since the 2023 season, but she didn’t allow a single hit in 13 innings across three appearances in her 2026 debut. The sophomore made history on Saturday against Menlo, striking out four and allowing four baserunners all on walks for her first collegiate no-hitter. It was the first since NNU’s Sidney Booth authored her second and final no-hitter on May 5, 2023 at the GNAC Softball Championships. Overall it was the 33rd no-hitter since the GNAC was formed in 2001-02 and the fifth by a Nighthawk. In addition to Booth’s two no-hitters, Jordan Adams threw one against CSU Pueblo on Feb. 7, 2019 and Trisha DeSimone notched a perfect game (5 innings) against Walla Walla on March 18, 2005. Lusk was also unhittable in a five-inning effort against Cal Poly Humboldt and a one-inning stint against Jessup to close the weekend. She earned two wins and a save while totaling nine strikeouts in 13 innings and a WHIP of 0.69.
 
NNU Head Coach Rich Wagner: “Miah put in a lot of hard work this off season, and I think she showed that last weekend. The first weekend out she navigated through some traffic on the bases, and it’s fun to watch her grow as a player and as a teammate. I think that growth showed itself in her no-hitter on Saturday. She wants to win every time out for her teammates.”
 
Also Nominated: Ashley Akers, Montana State Billings; Kayla Vaughan, Saint Martin’s; Monica Bourque, Simon Fraser; Kennedy Abbas, Western Oregon; Alanna Wirtala, Western Washington.
 

9823SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Grace Hood – Montana State University Billings
First-career player of the week.
 
Hood’s bat was red hot despite the season opening on Jan. 30, as she clubbed a GNAC-high three home runs and 11 RBIs on opening weekend. The highlight performance came on Friday against Mary, as she went 3-for-4 with two homers and six RBIs. Her other long ball came amid a 3-for-4 performance with two more RBIs against Black Hills State on Sunday. Overall Hood had at least one RBI in 5 of 6 games played last week, while scoring five runs, stealing a base and striking out just one time in 22 plate appearances. Hood already surpassed last year’s season total of two home runs and nine RBIs, as she slashed .450/.500/.950 in the first week of the year.
 
MSUB Head Coach Joe Yegge: “Grace had an outstanding weekend. She played a great first base and even caught a game. At the plate she must have been seeing beach balls. She went deep into counts, destroyed balls and stepped up in RBI situations.”
 
Also Nominated: Ava Clark, Northwest Nazarene; Haley Agena, Saint Martin’s; Lauren Lugtigheid, Simon Fraser; Madelynne Hommel, Western Oregon; EmmaJoy Wise, Western Washington.
 

9777WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Emma Cannan – Simon Fraser University
Fourth-career track athlete of the week, second this season.
 
Cannan ran an NCAA Division II-leading time of 23.54 seconds in the 200 meters, inching closer to the GNAC indoor all-time record of 23.39 seconds set by SFU’s Marie-Eloise Leclair in 2024. Cannan finished first among a field of 28 runners at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic, including a field filled with NCAA Division I competitors. In addition to leading Division II in the 200 meters, Cannan also ranks fifth national in the 60 meters with a season-best time of 7.40 seconds – third-fastest in conference history.
 
SFU Head Coach Brit Townsend: “Emma continues to impress and inspire us all. She has become a believer in what she is capable of doing. This was yet another performance to provide evidence that she is one of the top sprinters ever in the history of the GNAC in multiple events. I’m very excited for this young lady and what is possible for her post-collegiately.”
 
Also Nominated: Ryann Smith, Alaska Anchorage; Elise Hopper, Central Washington; Micah Strong, Montana State Billings; Morgan Erler, Northwest Nazarene; Hannah Chang, Seattle Pacific; Kyla Potratz, Western Oregon; Western Washington Women’s 4x400 relay.
 

9824WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Kathryn Chapin – Western Washington University
First-career field athlete of the week.
 
Chapin posted a pair of GNAC indoor all-time top-10 marks last week at the UW Invitational, recording personal bests in both the shot put and weight throw. Chapin topped a field of 27 throwers in the shot put with a toss of 47-1.75 feet (14.37 meters), moving her name up to No. 9 in GNAC history. She then finished as the runner up among 14 competitors in the weight throw, with a toss of 56-8.5 feet (17.28 meters). That was good for the eighth-best women’s weight throw in conference history. She now leads the GNAC performance list in the weight throw, while ranking second in the shot put in 2025-26.
 
WWU Head Coach Ben Stensland: “Kathryn’s energy and enthusiasm is unmatched. She has been putting in a lot of great work and it’s exciting to see it start to come together for her. We are all looking forward to seeing what Kathryn and the rest of the throws crew is able to accomplish this year. Coach Damien Fisher is doing an amazing job with that group.”

Also Nominated: Maliyah Gordon, Central Washington; Hannah Cooper, Montana State Billings; Emma Kwok, Northwest Nazarene; Olivia Windbiel, Simon Fraser; Guinevere Rydberg, Western Oregon.
 

9776MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Zach Jeggo – Simon Fraser University
Second-career track athlete of the week, second this season.
 
Jeggo made history in Boston last week, breaking the GNAC indoor track & field record in the 400 meters. His time of 47.15 seconds was a shade faster than Alaska Anchorage’s Josha Caleb (47.22 seconds in 2025) as he climbed to the top of the GNAC list in just his second collegiate race. The freshman also moved his name up to No. 5 on the NCAA Division II national performance list, as he seeks to secure a spot in the NCAA Championships in his debut indoor season.
 
SFU Head Coach Brit Townsend: “This young man is so determined and motivated every time he steps on the line. He is one of Canada’s best junior 400-meter runners and he has already made his mark on the GNAC and the NCAA. He is only a freshman and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this season and the years to follow will bring for Zach.”
 
Also Nominated: Charlie Hulbert, Alaska Anchorage; Ian Calhoon, Central Washington; Lennon Davis, Montana State Billings; Brody Kemble, Northwest Nazarene; Tawaf Aboudou, Seattle Pacific; Ethan Bothwell, Western Oregon; Lucas Brenek, Western Washington.
 

9825MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Daanish Adams – Simon Fraser University
First-career field athlete of the week.
 
Adams logged a GNAC all-time top-10 effort in the triple jump at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic last week. The freshman cleared 48-2.75 feet (14.70 meters) for the top mark by a GNAC triple jumper so far this season and a provision national qualifier. Adams’ leap was also good for the ninth-best in conference indoor history, as he soared past his previous season best of 47-6.5 feet (14.49 meters).
 
SFU Head Coach Brit Townsend: “Daanish has been an incredible addition to our jumps program. He has made an immediate impact on the team on and off the track. He achieved two personal bests in Boston – one after another in the triple jump – and I see great things ahead for him in his future.”
 
Also Nominated: Cal’von Baker, Central Washington; Johnnie Young, Montana State Billings; Carter Alberts, Northwest Nazarene; Ryan Doidge, Saint Martin’s; Tawaf Aboudou, Seattle Pacific; Jacob Behrman, Western Oregon; Angelo Ramos, Western Washington.
 

9826BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jack Nehler – Montana State Billings
Fourth-career player of the week, first this season.
 
Nehler was instrumental in leading the Yellowjackets to a 3-1 start to their season as they won their road series at Cal State San Bernardino. No moment was bigger than his 3-run home run in the top of the 10th inning in the series opener, as he broke a 4-4 deadlock in the eventual 7-4 victory. Nehler slashed .438/.526/.688 in the four-game set, going 7-for-16 with seven RBIs, four runs scored and a stolen base. A fourth-year senior for MSUB, Nehler ranks fourth in GNAC history with a program-record .390-career batting average.
 
MSUB Head Coach Derek Waddoups: “Jack is our emotional leader and came up clutch in big moments all weekend. What he means to our team goes way beyond his hitting and defense. It was great to see him open the season in true Nehler form.”
 
Also Nominated: Ethan Buckley, Central Washington; Parker Sobsiesiak, Northwest Nazarene.
 

9827BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Hayden Mullins – Montana State Billings
First-career pitcher of the week.
 
Mullins was lights out when called upon in the season opening series, retiring nine of the 11 batters he faced and allowing no hits in his three innings of work. In his debut on Friday, Mullins struck out 5 of 6 batters he faced across two perfect innings to earn his first win of the year. He followed that up with the save in MSUB’s 7-6 triumph on Saturday to secure the series victory. Mullins is coming off a first-team all-GNAC 2025 campaign that saw him post a 2.70 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings across 20 appearances.
 
MSUB Head Coach Derek Waddoups: “Mullins was outstanding against a good San Bernardino lineup. He attacked the zone and was able to change speeds to create swings and misses. I love the emotion he competes with and am grateful for the edge he brings to our team.”
 
Also Nominated: Austin Cupic, Central Washington; Corbin Talley, Northwest Nazarene; Blaze Wong, Saint Martin’s.