Grand Junction, CO - The Cougars traveled to Grand Junction this Easter Weekend, a well known pit-stop for the Cougars every season. Strong results were posted across the board as the Cougars continue to ramp up momentum for the outdoor season.

Ella Brinkman, the Long Jump record holder found her stride this weekend, obliterating her own outdoor Long Jump record. Her third attempt, Brinkman would manage an incredible 18'7.25" jump, enough for a second place finish. This jump would be 10 inches further than her record previously set last week, Brinkman continuing to explore just all that she can do.

This leaves Brinkman 4^th on the RMAC list in the Long Jump, also sitting 3^rd on the list in the Triple Jump. Already one of the most competitive jumpers in the RMAC, Brinkman will continue to attempt to push up the ranks before RMAC outdoor championships.

Janelle DeBoer, the newfound constant for the track team saw another stellar weekend. Competing in the three events, DeBoer would see the Triple Jump, 200m, and 400m in the span of two days. DeBoer would kick things off in spectacular fashion in the Long Jump, posting an overall 5^th place finish with a whopping 17'10.75" jump. Sitting 4^th in the record books for the Long Jump already, DeBoer jumps up to the second longest LJ in Cougar history, just behind Brinkman's jump, also this weekend.

The highlight for DeBoer would come in her first ever outdoor 400, second ever 400 race. Starting in the outside lane, DeBoer would get off the blocks smooth, cruising through the first 200 in 26 seconds. Getting out in a clear lead, DeBoer would calmly fly to a 57.18 400, handedly winning the field out of 13 racers. The 57.18 is the second fastest 400 in CCU history, DeBoer sitting .27 seconds behind the school record. DeBoer would also run a 25.04 200m, enough for her second win of the day.

Coming off of another record-breaking day and two race wins, DeBoer sits 7^th on the RMAC 200 list, 5^th on the 400 list, and 13^th in the Long Jump. Sitting in position for the RMAC Championships, DeBoer will continue to see just how far she can push before wrapping up her track career.

Kate Miller would similarly see a solid day, doubling in the 800m and 1500m. Kicking the day off in the 1500m, Miller would see the pack go out extremely hard, Miller strategically placing herself in the middle of the pack. Miller would calmly sit for almost the entirety of the race, waiting for the last 200m to kick into high gear. Miller's last 200 would close on several girls, running a 4:46 for a 7^th place overall finish. At altitude, the 1500 converts to a 4:41 mark.

 Just 90 minutes later, Miller would take on the grueling 800, similarly placing 7^th in the half-mile race. Getting off the line hard, Miller and the pack would come through the first 400 in a speedy 68 seconds. A strong and familiar kick from Miller would see her pass one girl to close with a time of 2:18, 2:17 converted. Currently in the record books with a 2:15 800, Miller sets her sights on bigger goals in the 800 this continued outdoor season.

Miller currently sits 13^th on the RMAC 800 list, and 21^st on the 1500 list as she continues to chase high marks amongst the most competitive conference in the nation.

The meet would close out with the distance side, several girls running the 5k. A small race, the girls would go out conservatively, slowly but surely ramping up as they went through each mile. As the race would progress, the familiar likes of Wagner and Daugherty would take the race for the Cougs, going back and forth as they slowly moved up spots. As the race would close down, Daugherty would find a late surge, finishing in 8^th place with a final time of 18:15, a converted 17:49 at altitude. Aly Wagner was close behind in 10^th place with an 18:18 mark.

Following the meet, Head Coach Evan Verbal praised the efforts, stating "It was great to have a lot of women race a 5k, a distance that is a step up for most of them. They ran tough and will hopefully drop some more time as the season progresses. Janelle DeBoer had an exceptional meet, winning both the 200 and 400 and jumping an impressive long jump mark. She's doing things that have never been done before in this program".

The weekend would see a positive trip for the Cougars, with several PR's and positive results to build on. The Cougs will return home next week, racing at cross town rival Colorado School of Mines, the meet set for April 10^th and 11^th.