Swanson and Duenas Qualify for NCAA Track and Field Championships

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University athletes Hannah Swanson (Sr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) and Hope Duenas (So., Covina, CA/Covina HS) have qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships set for May 24-26 at Veteran's Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Swanson will compete in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase and Duenas will participate in the women's discus throw.

Swanson recorded her qualifying time of 10:44.86 at the Northwest Conference Championships on April 20. She took second place in the NWC steeplechase for All-NWC honors and was fourth in the women's 1,500-meter run.

It will be Swanson's second trip to the NCAA Championships in track and field. In 2016, she took 13th place in the nation in the 1,500-meter run. She has competed at the NCAA Cross Country Championships three times. Swanson is ranked fifth on Willamette's all-time list in the steeplechase.

Duenas registered her qualifying mark in the discus with a toss of 147' 2" at the Willamette Invitational on March 24. She won the NWC discus title this spring with a throw of 136' 3" as she won by over 10 feet. She earned All-NWC recognition in the event. Duenas' top throw ranks second on the Bearcats' all-time list.

On this year's NCAA Division III performance list, Swanson is ranked 11th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and Duenas is ranked 16th in the discus. The top 22 athletes in each individual women's event and the top 16 women's teams in each relay qualified for the NCAA Championships.