March 25, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University is sending six athletes - three men and three women - to compete in the Stanford University Invitational Track and Field meet on Friday and Saturday at Palo Alto, Calif.

Participating for the Vikings are Zach Boteilho (Sr., Camas) in the men's 10,000 meters, Steve DeKoker (Sr., Maple Valley/Tahoma) in the men's 5,000, Stacey Hopkins (Jr., Sammamish/Eastlake) in the women's javelin, Ryan Los (Jr., Gig Harbor/Peninsula) in the men's 400 hurdles, Dania Swosinski (Jr., Tacoma/Wilson) in the women's 200 and 400, and Ashlee Vincent (So., Bellingham/Squalicum) in the women's 5,000.

At least four, and possibly all six, are competing Friday. Hopkins is slated for 2 p.m., Los for 2:40 p.m., Vincent for 7:30 p.m. and Boteilho for 9:10 p.m. Swosinski either participates on Friday at 10:40 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. or Saturday at 2:40 p.m. and 3:50 p.m., and DeKoker either Friday at 10:30 p.m. or Saturday at 2 p.m.

Vincent was victorious in the 1,500 (4:47.25) last Saturday at the University of Washington Invitational and won the 5,000 in the provisional national qualifying time of 17:42.85 at the previous week's Pacific Lutheran University Invitational.

Vincent ran the 3,000 at last year's NCAA Division II National Championships. She was a national provisional qualifier in that event (10:02.32) as well as the 5,000 (17:33.21) and 1,500 (4:40.05).

Swosinski won the 200 (27.0) and placed fourth in the 400 (59.96) at the last week's UW meet, and Hopkins placed third in the javelin (133-4). Last year, Hopkins had a provisional national qualifying mark of 139-2.

Boteilho won the 10,000 last year as an unattached runner at the University of Oregon Invitational.

Los placed third in the 400 hurdles and DeKoker sixth in the 5,000 at the 2002 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships.