PHX Reporter

Grand Canyon University's indoor track and field team is set to begin its 2025 season with a trip to Spokane, Washington. Thirty-three athletes will participate in the Spokane Invitational at The Podium, an indoor track venue where the WAC Indoor Championships will be held in February.

"We all are excited to get this season started this weekend at The Podium, one of the finest indoor facilities in the country," said GCU head coach Tom Flood. "It's a great opportunity to compete against high-level teams such as Washington, Washington State and Gonzaga, which should definitely lead to some fast early-season times/marks."

GCU's women's team enters the season as defending WAC indoor champions. This December competition provides an early start before the main schedule begins in mid-January.

"We are traveling with a small but very talented group of sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and mid-distance runners," Flood noted. "We are thrilled at the chance to see the results of our great fall training."

Flood expressed enthusiasm for both returning champions and newcomers like Rayan Belkheir, Luca Cannizzo, Prosper Ekporere, Justice Fair, Joshua Gittens, Sydney Peal, Justin Raines, Miguel Rosario III, Cam Wilmington, Taliyah Booker, Lillian Cook, Michaela Lewis, Aaliyah Rifort-Delem, Maliyah Ross, Maria Sartin, Nina Thevenin and Jade Williams.

This marks GCU's second consecutive appearance at the Spokane Invitational. Last year saw impressive performances from the Lopes with five program records set.

The event offers GCU a platform to showcase their fall training efforts. "We have had a wonderful fall training block," Flood stated. "I feel that we have put ourselves in a great position to defend our women's indoor WAC title back in Spokane in late February and get back to duplicating our outdoor championship success on the men's side indoor as well."

The meet starts at 11 a.m. Phoenix time and requires a RunnerSpace +PLUS subscription for streaming access.