Alamosa, Colo. – The Grizzlies opened their spring semester with two home meets this weekend. Adams State hosted the ASU Qualifier No. 1 on Friday, followed by the ASU Qualifier No. 2 on Saturday, both held at the High Altitude Training Center on Adams State University's campus.
ASU Qualifier No. 1
The Grizzlies showcased strong performances on the track. Gavin Heyneman led the way, capturing the 200-meter title with a time of 22.24. Ja'Warren Smith followed closely, securing second place in 22.45.
In the 800 meters, Carmelo Corral took top honors with a winning time of 1:57.32. Teammates Nathan Scherbarth and Julian Campos finished third and fourth, clocking 1:57.81 and 1:59.07, respectively.
Adams State dominated the men's 4x400-meter relay, with the B team finishing first and the C team coming in second as the only teams in the race.
In the field events, Sam Dirkes delivered a standout performance in the shot put, achieving a season-best throw of 17.10 meters. His mark moves him to 12th nationally.
On the women's side, the Grizzlies had a lighter day of competition. Isila Apkup placed second in the 200 meters with a time of 25.34, while Alese Sartain secured fifth in 25.52.
Tristan Spence led the Grizzlies in the 800 meters, earning first place with a time of 2:14.29. Teammates Lieke Hoogsteen, Fiona Hawkins, Megan Garrett, and Clara Keddy followed closely, finishing third through sixth, respectively.
In the women's shot put, Maya Kronberg placed sixth with a throw of 10.20 meters.
ASU Qualifier No. 2
The Adams State men's and women's track and field teams delivered standout performances over the weekend, with several athletes earning top finishes on the track and in the field events.
On the men's side, Christopher Rader dominated the 400-meter race, crossing the finish line first in 49.11 seconds. Ja'Warren Smith claimed second place with a time of 50.36, while Ryan Gordan added a fourth-place finish in 51.48.
In the mile, David Millan cruised to victory, clocking 4:22.07 to finish six seconds ahead of the runner-up. Teammates Danyom Yosief, Tyman Smart, Kien Cogley, and Micah Swann added depth to the event, placing fourth, seventh, eighth, and 10th, respectively.
The 3,000-meter race was a showcase of dominance by Awet Beraki, who shattered the field with a winning time of 8:35.89, finishing nearly 40 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. Andy Setser earned a solid fourth-place finish with a time of 9:19.08.
In the 60-meter dash, Keirryse Simpson powered his way to second place with a time of 6.90, improving by 0.02 seconds from his preliminary performance. Gavin Heyneman, coming off a victory in the 200 meters the day before, placed fourth in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.03.
The field events saw Sam Dirkes defend his title in the shot put, matching his previous mark of 17.10 meters to take the top spot. James Waddles followed closely, earning second place with a throw of 15.28 meters.
On the women's side, Maggie McCleskey delivered a golden performance in the mile, leading a dominant team showing with a time of 4:56.65. She was joined on the podium by Haley Harkrider (5:24.21), Clara Keddy (5:35.40), and Morgan O'Keefe (5:39.42), who finished second, third, and fourth, respectively.
In the 3,000 meters, Emily Schoellkopf delivered a commanding victory as the lone Grizzly in the race, finishing in 10:00.95—an incredible 35 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
Sprinter Isila Apkup impressed in the 60-meter dash, securing second place with a time of 7.62, an improvement of 0.03 seconds over her preliminary run. In the 400-meter dash, Alese Sartain and Sarah Cohen clocked 57.84 and 58.84, earning third and fourth place, respectively.
In the field events, Maya Kronberg improved on her mark from the previous day with a throw of 10.33 meters, placing fourth in the shot put. Lauren O'Campo rounded out the weekend with a fifth-place finish in the weight throw, recording a mark of 10.56 meters.
The Grizzlies will head to Albuquerque, N.M. next weekend for the New Mexico Team Open.
