PUEBLO, CO – For the first time in 698 days, the Colorado Christian track and field teams suited up for an outdoor meet.
The Cougars sent over 30 competitors to the CSU Pueblo Spank Blasing Open Invitational on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
The last time the Cougars competed in an outdoor event was the final weekend of April in 2019 at the RMAC Championships.
MEN'S RECAP
Distance
The highlight of the meet was the performances of Ryder Searle and Trent Cochran in the 5000 meter run. Searle placed third overall with a raw time of 14:25.23 with Cochran placing fourth in 14:37.94. Both of their times altitude converted to NCAA Provisional qualifying times and currently rank as the third and fifth fastest times in the nation.
Freshman Nico Ramirez made a solid outdoor debut as he clocked a 4:00.96 with his altitude converted time just missing out as an NCAA Provisional qualifying effort. Moreover he won his section of the race.
Sprints
Jeremy Miller ran the second fastest time in school history during the 800 meter run. He crossed the finish line 1:57.17 which placed him second in his heat.
Tyler Bradley took aim at school record in the 100 meter dash as he ran the third fastest time in Cougar lore as he clocked an 11.11.
Field Events
Fresh off of basketball season, Jaxon Hinch nearly won the high jump event. A former high school champion in the event in South Dakota, Hinch cleared the bar at 2.03 meter (6 feet, 8 inches) which was just one inch from the first place competitor. In addition, he is the first high jumper in school history.
WOMEN'S RECAP
Sprints
Breaking school records was the theme during the 100 meter dash. Hannah George continued her assault on the record books. The freshman clocked a time of 12.77 which is the best mark in program history. Winnie Spurlock (12.99) and Ramona LeMaster (13.01) clocked the second and third fastest times in school history.
George's record breaking day wasn't done as she set the school mark in the 200 meter dash with a time of 26.62. Rachel Lucas ran the fourth quickest time in school history by crossing the finish line in 27.38.
Tessa Hooper just missed the school's best ever mark in the 800 meter race with a time of 2:17.42.
Distance
Shannon King nearly clocked an NCAA Provisional time in the 1500 meter race as the freshman ran the four laps in 4:40.44. Christy Shuster was just behind her with a time of 4:42.73.
Callie Ketner and Elizabeth Mattson finished fifth and sixth respectively in the 21-person 5000 meter race. Ketner clipped the finish line in 18:38.82 with Mattson just behind her in 18:39.66.
Field Events
Grace McCartney cleared the high jump par at 1.45 meters (4 feet, 9 inches) and in a unique competition, competed against her mother Pamela who is an elite level Masters USATF athlete.
Spurlock had her best triple jump effort go for 10.75 meters (35 feet, 3.25 inches)
UP NEXT: The Cougars are planning to take the Easter weekend off before traveling to the KT Woodman Invitational in April.
