Record Marks and Breakout Performances Earn Trio NWAC Honors

Spokane Colleges Track & Field had a standout week on the national stage, as three Sasquatch athletes were named Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Athletes of the Week for April 20–26. Freshman Talan Hughes, sophomore Ashlee Scheel, and freshman Clara Browne were each recognized for their exceptional performances across multiple meets.

Hughes, a freshman hurdler from Spokane Valley, delivered an impressive all-around performance at the Ralph Vernacchia Invitational in Bellingham. Competing in four events, he helped lead the Sasquatch men to a second-place team finish against primarily four-year competition. Hughes ran a leg on the second-place 4x100 relay team (40.87), placed sixth in the 110-meter hurdles, and posted a conference-leading time of 47.63 in the 400 meters—more than a second faster than the next competitor and good for ninth all-time in program history. He capped his weekend with a second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles (53.21).

Scheel, a sophomore middle-distance runner from Moses Lake, turned in another strong showing at the Pee Wee Halsell Invitational. She recorded a time of 2:22.24 in the 800 meters, the fifth-fastest mark in the NWAC this season. Scheel also currently ranks third in the conference in the 1,500 meters, continuing to establish herself as one of the top distance runners in the league.

Browne, a freshman thrower from Cheney, made a major statement at the WSU Cougar Classic. Competing against athletes from NCAA Division I, II, and III programs, she placed fifth overall in the discus with a lifetime-best throw of 40.42 meters. Her mark moves her into third place in the NWAC this season and highlights her rapid rise in the conference ranks.

The trio's recognition underscores a strong stretch of performances for Spokane as the Sasquatch continue to build momentum heading into the championship portion of the season.