Gunnison, CO - The Cougars opened up the Indoor season at the countries highest elevated track this weekend at the Mountaineer Open. The two day meet saw many strong results to kick-off the indoor track season.
Friday evening kicked off strong for the Cougars, with 10 different men competing in the 5,000 meter. Matthew Storer led the way with a time of 14:54 winning the 5k race. Ethan Wamplers 15:33 would place him 5th as Zach Vance, Tyler Scholl, Jay Wood, Sam Schwarting, Sean McCauley, Clayton Ackley, Drew Stilson, and Isaac Roberts all followed suit with strong performances. Ella Brinkman made her collegiate debut in the Women's triple jump with a mark of 11.08 meters.
The following day continued strong for the Cougs, both in the field and on the track. Women's long jump saw several women competing. Ella Brinkman, Saige Gomez, Elana Sutton, Laken Meier, and Sara Rutherford were led by Brinkman's 5.17m jump. Elana Sutton posted 1.47m in the high jump and a 11.67m throw in the shotput to wrap up field events.
The sprinters had a full day of action as Hannah Zugich and Alison Smith ran the 60m hurdles, running 10.00 and 10.29 respectively. Josiah Weeda and Ethan Nowakowski also competed in the 60m hurdles, running 8.54 and 8.78. Peter Junker soloed the 60m dash running a 7.75, while Allister McCasland ran the 400 in a 53.69.
The 200 field saw a large field for the Cougars as Bella Fletcher led the way on her collegiate debut with a 27.12. Laken Meier, Soleil Noyes, Sara Rutherford, and Alison Smith all followed close behind with strong season openers. Allister McCasland, Ethan Nowakowski, Josiah Weeda, and Peter Junker would also compete in the 200m, led by Allister McCasland's 23.51. Bella Fletcher would also lead the way in the 400m with a time of 1:01, followed closely by Soleil Noyes's 1:04 and Hannah Zugich's 1:06 to wrap up for the sprinters.
The distance runners continued the tough task of running at 7,700 feet of elevation, with 6 men running the mile. Colden Welsh's time of 4:31 would be enough for 2nd in the mile, as he was followed by Tyler Schwarz, Kale Edmonds, Iain Embry, Nico Ramirez, and Evan McClinton.
The women's 800m saw strong performances as Kate Miller and Hallei Roberts placed 2nd & 3rd respectively. Miller ran strong with a 2:30, while Roberts followed with a 2:33 in her first ever 800. Brooke Connolly and Catalina Schwab followed close behind with exciting indoor openers. Mason Ganz ran the Men's 800m by his lonesome, running a time of 2:10.
Alysia Wagner managed a top 10 finish in the 3,000m with a 10:58, followed by the strong performances of Ava Ackley, Nora Thompson, and Maleah Wardlaw.
The Cougars will enter their last indoor meet of the year this next weekend, traveling to Colorado Springs to run at UCC's Colorado Running Company Pre-Holiday Invite.
