PHX Reporter

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is set to compete in the 2025 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Indoor Track and Field Championships in Spokane, Washington. The event will be held over two days at The Podium, where GCU aims to secure its eighth men's championship and seventh women's championship.

"I am very excited and confident in both of our teams' ability to have very successful WAC Indoor Championships meets again this year," stated GCU head coach Tom Flood. "All the WAC schools have had long traditions of excellence in track and field and are always very tough competition."

The Lopes were predicted by other WAC coaches to finish first in the men's events and second in the women's events. Out of 34 events, GCU holds top marks in six men's events and five women's events, with additional top-three rankings in four more men's events and three more women's events.

In pre-championship polling for the men’s team, GCU was ranked first, followed by Utah Valley and UT Arlington. "Our men's team again is very well balanced with good depth in most event areas, especially the 60 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 60-meter hurdles and multis," said Flood. "We have a good mixture of senior leadership and some very talented newcomers."

For the women’s team, GCU was positioned between first-place Utah Valley and third-place Tarleton State. "Our women's team is also very talented this year with a lot of outstanding newcomers," Flood remarked. "We should be right in the hunt for a team title but as always will need some help from other schools to break up UVU in the distance races."

Last season saw Southern Utah interrupt GCU's streak of seven consecutive indoor championships on the men’s side; however, the women managed to claim their sixth title. Flood emphasized that both teams must fight for every point: "Both teams know that no one is going to just hand them anything... As always we will have to battle in every single event."

GCU arrived in Spokane on Wednesday for practice sessions before competitions start at 10 a.m. Phoenix time on Friday. Events conclude around 8 p.m. Phoenix time on Saturday when new WAC champions will be announced.

"Hopefully if it's God's will we will be traveling back home with some additional hardware that I'll try my best to find some additional spots somewhere in my office," added Flood who has led GCU to 23 WAC Championships across various indoor and outdoor categories.

Coverage of the event will be available on ESPN+ along with live results.