Rosemary Longisa Smashed History, And WSU's Track Legacy Is Back!

Alright, Cougar Nation, you better be listening up! We just got electric news from Eugene. Rosemary Longisa, our sophomore phenom, absolutely crushed it last Saturday, winning the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championship in the women's 1,500-meter run! I'm talking a blistering 4:12.10 finish at Hayward Field. Get hyped, because this is massive for Wazzu!

Rosemary Longisa Owns The Track

This is huge, folks. Longisa isn't just a national champion, she's the FIRST Washington State woman EVER to grab an outdoor 1,500-meter national title. Think about that history! This is monumental for the WSU track and field program. The last Cougar track athlete to win an individual NCAA title was Jeshua Anderson in 2011 for the men's 400-meter hurdles. For a WSU woman, you gotta go back to 2003 when Whitney Evans won the high jump. Longisa's performance showed championship poise, tactical brilliance, and an elite finish. A historic accomplishment setting an exciting future in Pullman!

509 Classic Is LOCKED IN, But Our Hoops Squad Looks WILDLY Different

Alright, enough celebrating, let's hit the hardwood! WSU hoops dropped their non-conference schedule, and it's a test. Dec. 22 is the 509 Classic at Numerica Veterans Arena in Spokane, Year Two of a three-year deal. We're 5-2 against Eastern Washington since 2020-21, with David Riley coaching them for our two losses. Last year we won 78-63, with Emmanuel Ugbo scoring 20. But here's the kicker: not a single WSU minute from that game is returning! EWU isn't much different either, only leading rebounder Alton Hamilton (16 points, five boards) and Emmett Marquardt (started, left injured) are back. Coach Dan Monson basically has a new team too. Like the site says, it's "regional pride, fan connection, and support for collegiate athletes." Pure Inland Northwest hoops!

Non-Conference Slate Is A GAUNTLET, Folks

But wait, there's more! Wazzu is at Murray State on Nov. 30, per Jon Rothstein. They went 20-13 last season, made the NIT, play super fast, bomb threes, and limit opponents' 3-point attempts (27.2 percent). Roman Domon is back (14.2 points, 5.2 boards). We host Davidson in a return game after losing 85-69 on the road. Expect two different teams. Dec. 6, we host North Dakota State, a No. 14 NCAA Tournament seed last year with a 27-8 record. That's a legit challenge! Plus, we're back in Palm Springs for the Acrisure Series in November, against a huge field. Opponents TBD. This slate is a real grinder for our new-look Cougars!

So there you have it, folks! WSU is making moves. Rosemary Longisa set an incredibly high bar for talent from Pullman. For hoops, with a brand-new squad and a tough non-conference schedule, every game is a chance to build chemistry. The action starts in November, but that 509 Classic on Dec. 22 is a must-watch to see how Coach Riley's new crew gels. Get ready, Emerald City, because Cougar sports are heating up!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.