Alamosa, Colo. – The Adams State Grizzlies opened their 2025-26 indoor season with a standout Saturday, competing at both the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener and Western Colorado's Mountaineer Open. The Grizzlies wasted no time making their mark, posting national-leading performances at both meets.
Ava O'Connor and Tristian Spence set the tone at the season opener in Boston, delivering two nation-leading marks to kick off the year. O'Connor opened the morning with a 9:03.03, the NCAA Division II No. 2 all-time mark, finishing second at the line. She now trails only former Grizzly Gracie Hyde, who owns the record at 8:58.33.
Spence added another strong performance in the 5,000 meters, placing 24th and improving her own NCAA Division II No. 4 all-time mark. She crossed in 15:50.31—nearly three seconds faster than the record she set at last year's season opener.
On the men's side, Housem Hrabi led the way with a 12th-place finish in the 3,000 meters, running 7:56.96. His performance currently ranks No. 2 in Division II this season and secured a national provisional mark. Jack Gumm followed with an 8:08.10, placing 44th.
In the 5,000 meters, Kidus Begashaw ran 13:38.54 to finish 25th, a time that ranks him third in NCAA Division II early in the season. Julian Campos followed with a strong 13:54.72, placing him ninth on the national list. Max Aldrich (14:02.15), Danyom Yosief (14:06.66), and Juan Rosales (14:18.09) also turned in solid performances for the Grizzlies.
Back home in Colorado, the Grizzlies continued to shine at the Mountaineer Open, led by Sam Dirkes in the shot put. Dirkes posted a top-three national mark in his season debut, throwing 18.39 meters.
In the 60 meters, the Grizzlies had two finalists. Liam Allen placed fifth in 6.92 seconds, while Chris Rader finished eighth in 7.04.
Ryan Chacon claimed fourth in the 400 meters with a time of 51.12 seconds.
Nathan Scherbarth took first in the men's 3,000 meters by a commanding margin, running 8:33.61—a time that ranks fourth nationally at this point in the season. Teammates Thibault Tauziede (3rd, 8:43.50), David Millan (4th, 8:47.74), and Kien Cogley (7th, 9:17.34) also placed for the Grizzlies.
On the women's side, Lea Navarro claimed first in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:30.94, followed by Kiera Damron in sixth at 19:59.83.
Lieke Hoogsteen finished second in the mile, running 5:05.64.
In the 400 meters, Isla Apkup took first in 57.06 seconds, and Mckaylee Burt placed eighth in 1:01.95.
The Grizzlies placed four in the top eight of the women's 3,000 meters. Maggie McCleskey won the event in 10:02.22, a time that ranks third nationally. Lexi Harkrider finished third in 10:34.56, with Aspen Fulbright and Clara Keddy close behind in fourth (10:36.28) and fifth (10:37.30), respectively.
Adams State closed out the meet with a win in the 4x400-meter relay, as the team of Apkup, Peyton Holmes, Burt, and Hoogsteen clocked 3:58.66.
The Grizzlies head into the holiday break on a high note and will look to build on these performances at the Colorado Classic on January 16, hosted by the University of Colorado.
