Western Oregon University's Ray Gerrard earned the GNAC Field Athlete of the Week title after breaking a 55-year-old school record in the discus with a throw of 177-9 feet at the Texas State Bobcat Invitational. This performance places him fifth in GNAC history and seventh on the NCAA Division II national performance list. Additionally, Maurice Woodring from Western Washington University achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first man in conference history to break the 51-second mark in the 400-meter hurdles. Other notable performances included Simon Fraser University's Raiya Matonovich, who ran a top-five 800-meter time in Division II this season, as well as standout baseball and softball players across various universities.

By the Numbers
  • Gerrard's discus throw of 177-9 feet is the fifth-best in GNAC history.
  • Woodring clocked a time of 50.69 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles, making him the first in GNAC history to surpass 51 seconds.
State of Play
  • Gerrard's performance marks a significant breakthrough after consistently improving his throws this season.
  • Woodring's record-setting hurdles time stands as the fastest in NCAA Division II for the current season.
What's Next

As the outdoor track and field season continues, athletes like Gerrard and Woodring aim to maintain their momentum leading up to regional and national championships. Looking ahead, both are potential contenders for further accolades if they sustain their performances.

Bottom Line

Gerrard's record-breaking throw and Woodring's historic hurdles performance highlight the competitive spirit and talent within the GNAC, reflecting the high-caliber athleticism present across the conference.