In a most unusual year to be competing, especially in an indoor setting, the Colorado Christian track teams are producing marks not before seen from these young programs. And the expectations are growing as both the men and women are setting bigger goals and aspirations.
During the second weekend of February the Cougars split up their teams as a handful competed at Colorado School of Mines Front Range No. 3 while another group travel to the Colorado Running Company UCCS Open.
MENS RECAP
Sprints
Tyler Bradley continues to reset his school record in the 60 meter dash. On Saturday in Golden in lowered it a bit more with a time of 7.02 to place first in the six-person field. Matthew Prahl improved his season best time to 8.17 during the event.
Caleb Kao ran in his first collegiate race as the east coast native posted a time of 58.63 in the 400 meter event.
Distance
During the 800 meter event at UCCS, Nicholas Skinner took second in the 10-person race as he just missed an NCAA provisional time as he crossed the finish line in 1:55.74.
Trent Cochran won the one mile as he ran a straight-up time of 4:19.82, which converted to 4:08.46 because of altitude and track. It is an NCAA provisional qualifying time and lowers his previous season best effort in the event. Jeremy Miller placed fourth with a time of 4:26.78 while sophomore Aiden Day recorded a time of 4:31.31.
A group of four Colorado Christian runners ran at in the Front Range No. 3 with Hudson Majeski taking the top spot in the 3000 meter race. The freshman posted a time of 8:56.93 to out distance himself from the rest of the team. Nico Ramiez also went sub-nine as he clipped the finish line in 8:59.64. Isaac Roberts clocked a 9:01.12 while Luke Meyer went 9:15 flat.
DMR Relay
A nearly all freshman group of Roberts, Day, Ramirez and Majeski race the first Distance Medley Race of the season on Friday evening at UCCS. The group tallied a time of 10:39.57 as they finished second by just over three seconds to Air Force.
WOMENS RECAP
Sprints
Three Colorado Christian runners toed the line in the 60 meter sprint at Colorado School of Mines, with Hannah George posting the top time of 8.05. The freshman nudged past her teammates as Ramona LeMaster (8.34) and Rachel Lucas (8.39) also competed.
Distance
The 800 meter races split between both locations. Looking to lower her already NCAA provisional time in the event Shannon King finished second with a time of 2:17.31 which was close to her season personal best set on the same track two weeks ago. Also competing at UCCS, Michelle Kuipers posted a time of 2:23.36 while running the event for the first time in college. Benisa Ellis ran by her lonesome in Golden as she registered a time of 2:31.88.
A big contingent of runners competed in the 3000 meter event. A pair competed at UCCS with Elizabeth Mattson tallying the best time as she crossed the finish line in 10:59.60. Callie Ketner had a time of 11:08.14 which was over 70 seconds faster than in the same race last season.
Meanwhile in Golden, Hannah Causey led a trio of Colorado Christian runners. The senior posted a time of 11:48.40 which outdistanced herself from Kenzie Hartwig (12:03.60) and Anna McLaughlin (12:15.10).
DMR Relay
The freshman grouping of Kuipers, George, Paige Tack and King posted an NCAA provisional time of 12:29.46 during the 3000 meter race. That time converted down to 12:05.27 which is currently the 15th best time in the nation. The un-converted time is also a school record set three seasons ago.
UP NEXT: The Cougars are scheduled for a return trip to Colorado Springs for the Air Force Collegiate Open next weekend.
