Pueblo, CO – RMAC Championships kicked off over the weekend at CSU-Pueblo, the Cougars squad competing exceptionally with several podium finishes, and a strong showcasing across the board, sprints to distance.

Saturday

Janelle DeBoer kicked things off in the 400, set in lane 5 for the prelims. Having come in riding high momentum from three races in California, she no doubt had high expectations to make her name known amongst the RMAC this weekend. DeBoer would get off the line slow but smooth, building up into her rhythm. Picking up speed, DeBoer would come through 200 sitting in third, chasing a Colorado School of Mines girl in lane 6. The last 100 meters would showcase DeBoer' speed, flying into the lead and closing for a PR of 56.30. The fastest 400 in Cougar history ever, DeBoer's final time was the fastest across the prelim board.

The same day, DeBoer would take on the 200m Prelims, lined up in a top heavy heat, one of the top seeds herself. The gun would go off with Mesa's Schissler flying of the blocks, DeBoer in close pursuit. DeBoer would look strong through the full 200m for a second place finish and time of 24.79. The second place heat finish would be an automatic qualifier, the 6^th fastest prelim time.

Lorelei Daugherty would take on the lengthy 10k, racing amongst the nations best distance field. Daugherty would come off the line electing to run in the back, calmly and smoothly settling into her pace. Daugherty would strategically crank off 92 second laps, sitting in 19^th for three miles. The three mile mark would see Daugherty's strategy pay off. Daugherty started to pick people off as the field came back to her. One by one, Daugherty would move up position. A mile and a half to go, Daugherty would dig just a little deeper. Speeding up, Daugherty would pass 4 people in a single lap, jumping into 10^th for the last mile. Daugherty, churning the legs, would close extremely well, flying up to 7^th place to close out the 10k with a time of 37:58, 36:49 converted at altitude. This serves as almost a 60 second PR for Daugherty to cap an incredible season running the 10k.

Hannah Zugich and Alison Smith would both take on the 100m and 400m Hurdles at the RMAC Championships. The girls would kick off the 100mH, Zugich speeding her way to a time of 16.53 and Smith close behind with a mark of 17.12. This would land them 17^th & 19^th in the event respectively. Zugich would see an even better 400H, racing to a mark of 1:07.72 for a 12^th place finish, just outside of qualifier. Smith would come through the line in 1:15.59 for a 20^th place finish. An extremely technical and difficult event, the Hurdles will reflect on a successful season, looking to continue to make strong strides in the next.

Elana Sutton would take on the Heptathlon, her best marks coming from PR's in the 800 (2:51), 200 (29.77), and the 100H(17.62). An all around performance, Sutton would finish 15^th in the RMAC Heptathlon.

Kate Miller and Sophia Graber would each compete in the 800 prelims, one of the most difficult events to make finals in. Graber would get out in Heat 2, getting out off the back and coming through the first lap in a 68. Graber would muster a strong finish, passing one girl for a 7^th place finish and final time of 2:20. Miller would see an interesting race herself, the entire field negative splitting the 800, an uncommon scene. Miller would get out in third, coming through the first lap in 71, closing in a 68 for a final time of 2:19 and 3^rd place heat finish. Overall, Miller and Graber would finish 12^th and 14^th respectively to wrap up their seasons. Both girls having solid seasons, each steps of the track having displayed extremely high ceilings, undoubted assets for the Cougars moving forward.

Sunday

The women's 4x100 was set Sunday, with the likes of Laken Meier, Bella Fletcher, Ella Brinkman, and Janelle DeBoer taking on the short race. Having raced the event just once before, Meier would get off to a strong start, setting the tone for the entire race. Fletcher and Brinkman would have exceptional runs and handoffs to keep the Cougars in the race, handing the baton to anchor DeBoer. DeBoer would close extremely well for a 4^th place RMAC finish and final time of 48.27. An extremely impressive feat amongst the RMAC Championships, this is the fastest 4x100 in Cougar history, all four girls celebrating an incredible race and top finish in the conference finals.

The sprint finals would serve as the final career event for Janelle DeBoer, determined to go out with a bang. And she did just that. Lined up for the 400 final, DeBoer would get out smooth, getting through the first 100 in the top third of the pack. The race would see New Mexico Highlands leading, trying to pull away, DeBoer going with her. The last 200 meters would see DeBoer powerful and determined, flying into second and chasing down the leader. DeBoer, ever so slightly closing the gap, would fly across the finish line in 2^nd place with a jaw dropping time of 55.46. Not done, Janelle would tow the line just an hour later for the 200 final. Competing against many national relevant competitors, DeBoer would finish her final race in style, flying to a 4^th place finish and time of 24.51.

DeBoer would walk away with a 2^nd place 400 finish, 4^th place 200 finish, and 4^th place 4x100 finish, scoring 18 points on the day, all while garnering First Team All-Conference honors. DeBoer finishes her short, but decorated career with school records in the 200m, 400m, and 4x100m, with top 5 record finishes in the Long Jump, 60m, and 100m. Although an accredited volleyball player the majority of her career, DeBoer walks away the fastest and most complete sprinter the Cougars have ever seen, smashing all records in just 6 months of training. A huge loss for the Volleyball and Track Program, DeBoer retires leaving an immense mark both on and off the track.

Aly Wagner and Lorelei Daugherty would take on the 5k, Daugherty's second race in as many days, coming off an extremely successful 10k race Saturday. Despite heavy legs from the monster race, Daugherty would have herself yet another phenomenal race, Wagner close behind with a solid performance. An eerily similar race to the 10k, Daugherty would start in the back, remain patient and let the field come back to her. Wagner would get out strong in the middle pack, remaining in a similar place almost the entirety of the race. Daugherty wouldn't make her move until a mile, slowly but surely making her way up. Daugherty would ramp up speed, flying to a 10^th place finish and final time of 18:10, Wagner behind with a 12^th place finish and time of 18:22. Both girls close out a spectacular track season, working together to turn heads in the RMAC and break records all the same. Daugherty and Wagner will look to continue momentum looking to next Cross season this upcoming fall.

Ella Brinkman's highlight of the weekend would come from the Triple Jump, one of the most electric TJ finals the RMAC has seen. Brinkman would have a strong showcase to start, jumping to a 38'2.25" mark her third go around. Enough for the finals, Brinkman would jump another three times, vaulting herself to a third place mark her 5^th jump, flying to a 38'7.75" mark. It would see a dramatic finish, each girl knowing the 6^th jump would be their last. A UCCS competitor sitting in fourth would jump right before Brinkman, launching an extremely impressive triple jump to push Brinkman back into fourth. Taking several deep breaths, Brinkman would stare down the track, knowing what she needed to do. And she did just that. Sprinting forth, Brinkman would have an excellent takeoff and jump, soaring to a mind-blowing 39'0.25" mark, jumping back into third place over UCCS for a podium finish. Jumping a new PR and podium finish under pressure, Brinkman would shout with leaps and bounds to celebrate the incredible feat, launching herself to a First-Team All Conference her first year as a Cougar.

The Cougars close out one of the most historic seasons to date, shattering records and taking great strides as a program. Encouraged and determined, the Cougars will look to Cross Country and Indoor season next year to continue to push forward an already highly competitive program.