Rapid City, SD - A triple meet week ranging from South Dakota to California saw another record breaking stretch for the Cougars. Several national provisional's and numerous PR's were dropped as several records were shattered through out the week.

The duo of Josiah Weeda and Ethan Nowakowski continue to get faster and faster, each having a strong final meet of the regular season. Each would take on the 110H and 400H in South Dakota, Weeda leading the charge with a time of 15:05, Nowakowski close behind with a mark of 15:87. The highlight of the day for both would come in the 400H, each getting out smoothly off the blocks. Ramping up speed, Weeda and Nowakowski would close strong for a 2^nd and 3^rd place finish, running 55.94 and 55.99 respectively.

Weeda would PR by over 1.5 seconds, Nowakowski by just over .3 seconds, standing as the 2^nd & 3^rd fastest 400 Hurdlers in Cougars history. Weeda currently sits 10^th & 12^th on the RMAC list for 110 and 400 Hurdles, Nowakowski sitting 13^th and 23^rd. Both will compete in Pueblo at the RMAC Championships, looking to podium in both Hurdle events.

Azusa, CA - The 800 saw more records shattered, Tyler Schwarz and Mateo Luna both taking on the 800 at the Leopard invitational in California. The race got out hot, both Cougs getting out in the middle of the pack through the first 200 meters. As the boys came around 400, Luna and Schwarz moved up, Luna moving up to 2^nd, coming through the first lap in a blazing 54.8, Schwarz close behind in a 55.34. 100 meters later, Luna would make his move, flying past the leader and digging deep to hold on as the race drew to a close. Luna would manage to come through the line in a mind-boggling 1:49.73, even splitting two 54 second laps, winning the entire race, and running a national provisional in the half-mile endeavor. Schwarz would come through the line in 1:53.6 for a 5^th place finish and PR. The outdoor record standing at 1:54, both Schwarz and Luna shattered the record, now the two fastest 800 runners the Cougars have witnessed. Luna is the first Cougar to break 1:50 in the 800, now holding the school record in arguably the most grueling race on the track.

This leaves Luna 10^th on the RMAC list and 34^th on the national list, with Schwarz 20^th on the RMAC list himself. Luna will have the option to run the 800 at the conference championships, with Schwarz eyes set on making a statement in the conference 800.

Luna was just getting started in California, taking on the 1500 two days later at Bryan Clay. Towing the line with primarily D1 competitors, Luna went out with the pack and found his rhythm, sitting in at a 4-flat pace. Remaining patient, Luna wouldn't make his move until 1 lap left, moving up, and pouring on the speed for the close. Luna's kick would outdo everyone, Luna managing to outkick everyone in the field for a 1^st place finish, 58 second final lap, and final time of 3:43.52. This serves as Luna's second national provisional this weekend and second school record shattered, breaking head coach Evan Verbal's long standing record of 3:46.

Zach Vance would have himself a day in the 1500, also breaking the school record and running a 3:45 mark. Vance, already in an extremely fast heat, would get out off the back of the pack, similarly waiting patiently for three laps to make his move. With a lap left, Vance would give all he had left, emptying out the tank for the strong kick and 5^th place finish.

Both Vance and Luna's marks are national provisionals and record breaking performances. Luna currently sits 4^th on the RMAC list and 18^th on the national list, with Vance sitting 9^th on the RMAC list and 32^nd on the national list. Both runners will look to post-season, whether it be RMAC or nationals to continue to show the nation just how fast they can go.

Sam Schwarting, coming off of an extremely impressive race at Colorado Mesa brought his momentum to California, leaving with the best race of the day for the Cougars in the 5k. The 3.1 mile race saw a physical race from the start, lots of traffic crowding the track. Sitting in the top group for most the race, each lap would see someone else make a move and quicken the speed of the race. Schwarting would stay patient, sitting in the chase group and making his final push with 3 laps left. Closing extremely well, Schwarting would manage an 8^th place finish and final time of 14:33. Zach Vance and Ethan Wampler would also run extremely well in the 5k, running 14:35 and 14:38 respectively.

Schwarting and Vance sit 21^st and 24^th on the RMAC 5k list, giving Vance an option of what to run at the outdoor championships, Schwarting looking to turn heads amongst the most competitive distance conference in the nation.

Joseph Lethlean, the true freshman, continues to show just what he is capable of, having yet another incredible day in the steeplechase. Racing in the second heat at the Leopard Invitational, Lethlean would get out strong off the line, sitting off the shoulder of the leader for the majority of the 3k race. With 800 to go Lethlean would make a gusty move, running to the front and closing as strong as possible. Getting out leaned at the line, Lethlean would finish 2nd, managing a final time of 9:14, an incredible feat from any freshman. A PR and the 3^rd fastest Steeple in Cougars history, Lethlean currently sits 9^th on the RMAC list. All eyes will eagerly await Lethlean in the conference championship as he will undoubtedly be pushed to see what he can do to podium amongst RMAC competition.

The distance side would be closed out by Matthew Storer, racing his second 10k in one week. Going out extremely fast through the first 5k, Storer would come through the first 5k in 4:38 pace. A gusty start, Storer would hold on for a final time of 29:33, a national provisional, raw 10k track PR, all on legs having run a 10k just 6 days prior. An extremely difficult feat, Storer makes a strong statement to the mental fortitude and talent that will be utilized in his final race in the Cougars singlet, the national 10k circled on the calendar. Storer sits 5^th on the RMAC list and 15^th on the national list for the 10k.

The Cougars take on the RMAC Outdoor Championships in Pueblo, Colorado this next weekend, the meet set for April 24^th - 26^th. A historic season, the Cougars will continue to push to see what they can do amongst the conference.