PORTLAND, Ore. – More Great Northwest Athletic Conference track & field records fell last week, as the latest GNAC Player of the Week selections had career-best performances.
MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Liam Wall – Western Washington University
Fourth-career field athlete of the week, second this season.
Wall broke the GNAC discus record last week at the Beach Invitational, throwing 188-4 feet (57.40 meters). That took down Northwest Nazarene’s Jake Knight, who held the record at 183-0 feet (55.78 meters) set in 2019. Wall, who had already climbed to third in GNAC history earlier this season, moved his name up to No. 5 in Division II so far this season.
Also Nominated: Anders Larsen, Alaska Anchorage; Wes Kriete, Central Washington; Sean Zimmer, Montana State Billings; Ryan Doidge, Saint Martin’s; Tawaf Aboudou, Seattle Pacific; Leupold Wang, Simon Fraser.
WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Elise Hopper – Central Washington University
Fourth-career track athlete of the week, third this season.
Hopper broke the GNAC record in the outdoor women’s 400-meters at the Bryan Clay Invitational, running a personal-best time of 53.04 seconds. That topped the mark of 53.11 seconds, set by Western Washington’s Bec Bennett last spring, and moved Hopper up to No. 5 in Division II in 2026. Hopper also ran a PR of 23.53 seconds in the 200-meters, improving upon her fourth-best time in conference history. She moved up to No. 11 in DII in the 200-meters, and claimed her third athlete of the week award of the year.
CWU Head Coach Jonathan Hill: “Elise had another outstanding weekend and is absolutely worth of continued recognition. Her leg on the 4x1 was beyond significant, her 400 heat win was dominant, her 200 showed her speed and fitness, and her 4x4 leg was absolutely jaw-dropping. She is definitely one of the most well-rounded sprinters in GNAC history. There is still more she wants to accomplish and we have some big meets coming up to do it.”
Also Nominated: Vivien Liessfield, Alaska Anchorage; Bella Klein, Montana State Billings; Morgan Erler, Northwest Nazarene; Kekaihulali Halpern, Saint Martin’s; Brooke Mosby, Seattle Pacific; Raiya Matonovich, Simon Fraser; Jazmine Dotson, Western Oregon; Western Washington Women’s 4x400-Meter Relay.
MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Brennen Murphy – Western Oregon University
First-career track athlete of the week.
Murphy blazed his way to the second-fastest 400-meters time in GNAC outdoor history last week at the Beach Invitational. He placed second among a field of 34 sprinters, running 46.78 seconds. That was just 0.05 seconds off Joshua Caleb’s GNAC outdoor record of 46.73 seconds set in 2024. Murphy moved his name up to No. 17 on the NCAA Division II national performance list this season.
WOU Head Coach Zach Holloway: “Brennen has had a fantastic year. Both him and Coach Warner knew big breakthroughs were coming soon. He is a high-level competitor and I am excited to see what he does the rest of the season.”
Also Nominated: John Peckham, Alaska Anchorage; Josh Boast, Central Washington; Brock Grossman, Montana State Billings; Grady Mylander, Northwest Nazarene; Justin Brooks, Seattle Pacific; Colton Plummer, Simon Fraser; Nolan Mickenham, Western Washington.
WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Rae Smart – Montana State University Billings
Third-career field athlete of the week, third this season.
Smart’s stellar freshman campaign continued last week with a pair of season-bests at the Yellowjacket/Battlin’ Bears Dual meet. Smart posted the seventh-best shot put in GNAC history, hitting 49-0.75 feet (14.95 meters) to win the competition. It was also good enough to elevate her name to No. 8 on the national performance list for 2026. Smart’s other PR came in the javelin, where she threw 144-3 feet (43.98 meters).
MSUB Head Coach Jonathan Woehl: “Rae continues to impress. We had great weather last week for a track & field meet so it was great to see Rae and our entire team have strong performances.”
Also Nominated: Vivien Liessfeld, Alaska Anchorage; Maliyah Gordon, Central Washington; Lysandra Plant, Seattle Pacific; Charlotte Bosma, Simon Fraser; Alecia Lemeza, Western Oregon; Jessica Polkinghorn, Western Washington.
BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jason Wright – Montana State University Billings
First-career player of the week.
Wright tore it up atop the Yellowjackets’ lineup in a four-game series against Western Oregon, going 12-for-17 with three doubles, a triple and a home run. Wright drove in seven runs and scored seven times, producing at least one hit in each of the four games. Wright raised his season average to .479 which leads the GNAC.
MSUB Head Coach Derek Waddoups: “It’s always awesome when your leadoff seems to be on base all weekend. Jason put together one of the most impressive offensive weekends that I have seen. He hit for power and came through clutch for the team time and time again.”
Also Nominated: Kyle Becker, Northwest Nazarene; Bransyn Hong, Saint Martin’s.
BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Corbin Talley – Northwest Nazarene University
Third-career pitcher of the week, third this season.
Talley produced his second consecutive shutout, icing down Saint Martin’s with a two-hitter on Friday. The right-hander had a season-high 11 strikeouts while allowing just five baserunners across his seven frames of work. He lowered his GNAC-leading ERA to 1.49 this season, which ranks him fifth in all of Division II baseball.
NNU Head Coach Joe Schaefer: “Corbin was fantastic again last weekend. He had a couple long innings early but got better and more efficient as the game went on. He got us a big win last weekend and has been a huge part of our success this year.”
Also Nominated: Brennen Chappell, Montana State Billings; Nikki Scott II, Saint Martin’s; Logan Lorrance, Western Oregon.
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Emma Bumatay – Northwest Nazarene University
Second-career player of the week, first this season.
Bumatay had a series for the books in Montana, homering four times across four games. In the Nighthawks’ 16-2 win over the Yellowjackets in game two, Bumatay was 3-for-3 with two home runs and six RBIs to pace the offense. She added a home run in each of the final two games of the weekend, finishing with 10 total RBIs in the series. Bumatay moved into a tie for the conference lead with 12 home runs this spring, and her 46 RBIs are second-most in the conference.
NNU Head Coach Rich Wagner: “It is tough to put into words what Emma did this weekend. Emma was sick all weekend coming off a significant illness and performed at an elite level. Every at-bat was a huge hit for us our a loud out. Boom leads by example in so many ways and it is great to see her bat getting hot at the right time.”
Also Nominated: Wyner Hurst, Montana State Billings; Jennessy Lopez, Saint Martin’s; Lizzy Sugrive, Simon Fraser; Reghann Fairbairn, Western Oregon; EmmaJoy Wise, Western Washington.
SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Alanna Wirtala – Western Washington University
Second-career pitcher of the week, second this season.
Wirtala came through in a big way in all three of WWU’s victories last week, earning two wins and a save in the Vikings’ series triumph over Simon Fraser. She allowed just three earned runs total in 15 innings pitched, totaling five strikeouts. Wirtala upped her season win count to a GNAC-leading 20, while dropping her ERA to 3.62.
WWU Head Coach Sheryl Gilmore: “I am really proud of the way Lann competed this weekend. She was steady, efficient and kept a hot SFU offense off balance. Lann has been great in every role we’ve asked her to play this year – whether it’s a start or to come in and close the door. She continues to deliver. Her consistency and toughness gives our team a chance to win every time she steps in the circle.”
Also Nominated: Danica Butler, Montana State Billings; Riley McGee, Northwest Nazarene; Kayla Vaughan, Saint Martin’s; Emma Franklin, Simon Fraser; Kennedy Abbas, Western Oregon.
WOMEN’S GOLF PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lauren J. Lee – Seattle Pacific University
Third-career player of the week, third this season.
Lee became the first-ever Falcon to win an outright tournament, as she topped a field of 31 players at the Chico State Wildcat Invitational. The junior posted a two-round score of 151 (76-75), fending off second-place Karis Haltom of Westmont by a pair of strokes. Lee got her tournament off to a good start playing the first four holes at 1-under par. She totaled three birdies at the event, and finished strong playing the back-nine at even-par her second time through to secure the win. Lee dropped her season stroke average to 76.6, ranking her seventh in the GNAC.
SPU Head Coach Tyler Copp: “Lauren really found her flow this tournament. She had some close calls with being in contention in previous tournaments this year and it really seemed to help prepare her for this moment. During round one she struck the ball really well off the tee and with her irons, helping her close out the round with six pars. Round two was a much different day as Lauren scrambled around the course. She made a lot of up-and-downs to save par, and for the majority of round two she held onto a four-stroke lead. We are all so happy for Lauren’s breakthrough victory.”
Also Nominated: Ella Tannenberger, Montana State Billings.
MEN’S GOLF PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Conrad Brown – Western Washington
Fifth-career player of the week, third this season.
Brown led the way for the Vikings at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational, finishing in a tie for sixth place among a competitive field of 67 west region golfers. Brown posted a three-round score of even-par 213 (71-70-72), navigating the 54-hole event with minimal miscues. Brown started the tournament on fire, making two birdies on his way to a 2-under-par 34 on the front-nine. He wound up with 10 total birdies on the tournament, including three during his best round – a 1-under-par 70 his second time through the course. The GNAC scoring average leader holds a mark of 70.7 strokes per round during the 2025-26 campaign.
WWU Head Coach Luke Bennett: “It was great to see Conrad continue his solid play last week at a tricky Turlock Golf & Country Club. He handled the windy conditions very well. He stayed calm and showed great mental toughness all week. He stuck to his gameplan and played to his strengths.”
Also Nominated: Ryan Badger, Montana State Billings.
WOMEN’S ROWING CREW OF THE WEEK
Cal Poly Humboldt Varsity 8+
8 – Adelaide Toll 7 – Ellie Walters 6 – Elsie Stevens 5 – River Walkington 4 – Royce Ankel 3 – Leah Dunn 2 – Lily Storseth
1 – Dayanara Anaya Coxswain – Giania Bogacki
The Lumberjacks opened the morning with a statement victory in the Women's Varsity 8+ race. Humboldt's Varsity 8+ crew powered through the course in 7:08.03, finishing more than 11 seconds ahead of runner-up Central Oklahoma (7:19.78) to claim the top spot.
CPH Head Coach Matt Weise: “Cal Poly Humboldt's Varsity 8+ raced well this weekend. They have been making gains in their race plan and continue to push their speed. They have also made some important technical progressions that have helped their speed. The v8 coxswain,
Giania Bogacki, has really elevated her performance and leadership within the boat.”
Also Nominated: Central Oklahoma Varsity 4+