toAlbuquerque, N.M. – The Adams State Grizzlies opened competition at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational on Friday afternoon in Albuquerque, N.M.

The men got off to a fast start on the track as Kidus Begashaw claimed first place in the 3,000 meters, posting a time of 8:01.95. Begashaw finished nearly 12 seconds ahead of teammate Danyom Yosief, who placed second in 8:13.54. Juan Rosales rounded out the top five with a fifth-place finish in 8:24.23.

In the unseeded men's 400 meters, Ryan Chacon and Christopher Rader placed seventh and eighth, finishing in 50.59 and 50.62, respectively.

On the women's side, Claragh Keane secured a third-place finish in the 3,000 meters with a time of 10:04.55. Aspen Fulbright, Keira Damron and Haley Harkrider followed closely behind, placing sixth, seventh and eighth with times of 10:16.11, 10:16.51 and 10:19.44, respectively.

The Grizzlies return to action Saturday with track events beginning at 10 a.m. and field events set for 1 p.m.