Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

Track

The first paw prints were put on the cross country tracks during the fall season. David Ribich, senior, was the first to catch fire for Western, claiming a GNAC title in the 8,000-meters. Ribich drifted ahead of the pack after 4,000-meters, and towards a comfortable individual win and, helped the men’s team triumph to their first ever GNAC championship win.

Ribich soon stepped indoors and towards conference titles in the 800 and mile, and a repeat indoor national title in the distance-medley-relay. Training partner Dustin Nading, junior, was on that relay team, and won his second national title in the men’s mile.

The Wolves earned six titles competing on campus on April 6. Kennedy Rufener, senior, who broke record upon record in the school year, won the 1500 title, while Olivia Woods added another in the 400. Woods and Rufener went on to receive multiple All-American honors throughout their running campaigns.

Western returned home on May 12 for the GNAC outdoor championships and put together three titles; two more belonging to Ribich in the 800 and 1500, while Alani Troutman, sophomore, brought home the long jump title.

Track and field then revved up one final competition in the nationals, with Ribich continuing his conquest and collegiate career with another 1500 medal.

Photo courtesy of: wouwolves.com

Basketball

The basketball team made their presence felt once they won 10 games in a row. Ten increased to 18, and at that point in the season, the Wolves were defeating their opponents consecutively by double digits while putting up individual accolades. Tanner Omlid, senior forward, who went on to receive numerous awards after the season, recorded his second five-by-five of the season in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

The team’s lone defeat up to that point came at the mercy of Western Washington early in the season. But the streak continued as the Wolves avenged the earlier loss in a rematch with the Vikings while improving their streak to 22. The regular season GNAC title clincher moved them up to a number three ranking in the nation.

The next level was the GNAC championship. Not only did two tournament wins crown them champions, but they drew automatic bid and host for the regionals. The squad opened their regional tournament with two wins before falling in closing seconds to regional champions, Cal-State Baptist, ending a historic season. The 31-1 mark is the best all-time start to any season in Western’s history. Twenty-six straight wins is also the longest ever for Western.

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Baseball

Baseball’s preseason polls strongly favored the Wolves as GNAC champions. The team started slow with seven non-conference losses, but found footing with a 14-5 record during conference play. During play, Gabe Benavidez, junior, and Craig Grubbe, senior, helped bolster a deep pitching rotation that included multiple one-hit performances. By seasons end, the two helped their team to league bests in fewest hits allowed per game, lowest earned-run-average and lowest runs allowed.

Along with the pitchers was a overall league leading defense in fielding. The team led the league in fielding percentage, and sophomore infielder Connor McCord led in double plays with 35. Jay Leverett, infield senior, was second on the team in that category, with 29. Plentiful offense made for five total walk-offs on the season — three of which came via Spencer Bennion, first-year outfielder.

Four key games forfeited to Montana State led to Montana clinching playoff seed number one, but Western eventually got back at the Yellowjackets when it counted.

The Wolves had won all but one conference championship since their merger into Division II and conquered Montana for 16th in the overall title.

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Softball

Softball season was up and down and ended at 28-25. The Wolves got off to a strong start at 12-8, during which, pitchers Haley Fabian, junior, and Lizett Dominguez, senior, started them out right with a combined 9-4 pitching record. Western had one of their best years with regard to hits. Much is due to their top hitters on the year; senior outfielder Zoe Clark, first-year outfielder Tyler Creach and junior infielder Ryanne Huffman. All three combined for 13 triples. Eighteen is the most the team’s ever had in a season. Western’s year had critical turning points towards the end, as the Wolves continuously battled for playoff positioning.

Two key victories, April 22 and 29, were accomplished through walk-offs. Chandler Bishop, sophomore pitcher, hit one to keep their playoff hopes alive. One week later, on senior night, first-year outfielder Ayanna Arceneaux made the playoffs a for sure thing with a home run clincher.

Beginning the tournament as the fourth seed, they dropped their playoff opener against Northwest Nazarene. The Wolves saved their season in a playoff double-elimination with a win versus Central Washington, thanks to a two-shot from Clark to seal the victory. But the second loss to Simon Fraser ended all hopes.

Photo courtesy of: wouwolves.com

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu