Pueblo, Colo. – The Adams State Grizzlies opened the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a dominant showing on Day 1, highlighted by a national title, five All-America performances, and four athletes advancing to event finals. The meet is being hosted by CSU Pueblo.
The momentum began early in the women's 1,500-meter prelims, where Elena Carey surged to the top seed with a time of 4:25.47. Teammate Maggie McCleskey also secured a spot in the final, crossing the line in 4:31.42. Fiona Hawkins wrapped up her season with a 17th-place finish in 4:40.44.
In the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, two more Grizzlies punched their tickets to the final. Ava O'Connor recorded the second-fastest qualifying time at 10:39.40, while Emily Schoellkopf followed closely in fourth at 10:41.70. Haley Harkrider concluded her season with a time of 11:29.96, placing 21st overall.
Victoria Amiadamen competed in the women's 400-meter hurdles, finishing 22nd with a time of 1:16.45.
Brianna Robles delivered the Grizzlies' biggest moment of the day, claiming the national title in the women's 10,000-meter run. She clocked 34:35.98 to earn her 18th career All-America honor and will return to the track for the 5,000-meter run on Saturday.
The men's 10,000-meter final added four more All-America accolades to the Grizzlies' tally. Dayton Brown led the way with a silver-medal performance in 29:47.50. Aron Orar (30:10.98) and Juan Rosales (30:22.76) earned first-team All-America honors, while Awet Beraki claimed second-team status with an 11th-place finish in 30:51.00.
Adams State returns to competition on Friday evening, beginning with the women's 800-meter prelims at 6 p.m.