aerial view of Western's campus at night facing northwest, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

Vikings cap historic 2025-26 season with national success, conference dominance and academic excellence

Western Washington records top-15 national finish, captures 11 GNAC championships and continues tradition of excellence in competition and the classroom.

by Jeff Evans

University Communications

Demi Dykstra grabs a rebound against Western Oregon.

Western Washington University Athletics delivered one of the most successful years in department history during the 2025-26 season, highlighted by a No. 13 finish in the final NCAA Division II Learfield Directors' Cup standings, a fifth consecutive Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-sports championship, and continued excellence in the classroom.

The Vikings finished 13th among nearly 300 NCAA Division II institutions with 583.75 points in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings, marking the program's highest finish since placing 11th nationally in 2016-17. The finish is tied for the fifth-best in Western's 28 seasons competing at the NCAA Division II level and ranked first among all Great Northwest Athletic Conference schools and West Region institutions.

Alexis Parker races for WWU's Women's Cross Country team.

Twelve Viking programs qualified for NCAA Championships during the 2025-26 academic year, while Western claimed 11 GNAC championship trophies to continue its dominance across the conference.

"What a year for our student-athletes, coaches and staff to record this amazing finish in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings," said WWU co-Director of Athletics Steve Brummel. "There are so many great programs at the NCAA Division II level, and it is an honor to continue to represent our University at the top of these standings. While the athletic accolades are incredibly impressive, the success our student-athletes have achieved in the classroom makes this an even greater achievement. Go Vikings!"

Western's success was built throughout the academic year. The Vikings opened the fall ranked eighth nationally behind NCAA Championship appearances by women's soccer, volleyball, and both cross country programs, including a ninth-place national finish by the men's cross country team.

During the winter season, women's basketball and women's indoor track & field added valuable Directors' Cup points, keeping the Vikings among the nation's top athletic departments heading into the spring championship season.

 

Men's Golf 3x GNAC Player of the Week Conrad Brown.

The spring provided the finishing touch to an unforgettable year. The women's rowing team captured its 10th NCAA Division II National Championship, further cementing its place among the nation's premier collegiate rowing programs. The track & field program qualified a school-record 16 student-athletes for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, while softball advanced to its third consecutive NCAA West Regional and men's golf claimed the NCAA Division II West Regional title before finishing 16th nationally.

The 2025-26 campaign also continued a remarkable stretch of sustained excellence for Viking Athletics. Western has now earned a top-50 finish in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings in 20 of the last 21 seasons, including nine top-20 finishes. Recent national finishes include 43rd in 2024-25, 38th in 2023-24, 37th in 2022-23 and 27th in 2021-22.

Softball co-captain Hailey Rath makes a play.

The department's accomplishments extended well beyond competition. Viking student-athletes continued to excel academically, posting an 89 percent Academic Success Rate, narrowly missing the NCAA Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence after earning the distinction seven times in the previous nine years.

Western also established a new department record with 142 GNAC All-Academic selections while 43 student-athletes earned Academic All-Region recognition, underscoring the department's commitment to success in both athletics and academics.

In addition to the strong overall performance by WWU’s varsity sports, the campus club sports also etched its spot among the nation’s elite. The men’s rugby team won the D1AA National 15s national championship and the 7’s made an appearance at CRAA nationals. The men’s hockey team enjoyed its most successful season earning its first Pac-8 playoff victory. Women’s rugby, women’s wrestling, women’s ultimate and equestrian all had qualifiers for their national championships.

Mie Cairns dribbles the ball in a game versus Northwest Nazarene University.

By the Numbers

  • No. 13 in the final NCAA Division II Learfield Directors' Cup standings.
  • 12 programs qualified for NCAA Championships.
  • 11 GNAC team championships.
  • 5th consecutive GNAC all-sports title.
  • 10th NCAA Division II National Championship for women's rowing.
  • 16 track & field student-athletes qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
  • 3rd consecutive NCAA West Regional appearance for softball.
  • 89% Academic Success Rate.
  • 142 GNAC All-Academic selections