LA GRANDE, Ore. - A strong opening day at the Cascade Conference Track and Field Championships saw the College of Idaho collect 11 All-Conference performances, one national qualifying mark, and a school record, positioning the Yotes for a potential top finish in both the men's and women's team standings.
Charlotte Bowman led the women's squad with a standout performance, finishing second in the 400 meters in 56.63 seconds, the second-fastest time in program history, and helping the 4x100-meter relay team to a second-place finish in 47.53. Bowman was joined by Allison Horsley, Stella Gray, and Isis Villafane on the relay, which now ranks third all-time at C of I. Molly Connor added a podium finish with a third-place result in the 10,000 meters, while Kylee Quinton took home the Yotes' only win of the day in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
On the men's side, Braden Heath delivered a breakthrough in the steeplechase, claiming fourth in 9:14.70, a school record and an NAIA "A" standard that currently ranks eighth nationally. Daniel Butler and Hayden Bostrom brought home victories in the 1,500 meters and 10,000 meters, respectively, while Tanner Sackman and Trevor Treat also earned All-Conference honors in the hammer and hurdles.
In total, the Yotes posted 12 personal bests, six new top-10 program marks, and one new school record across the day.
After Day One, the C of I women sit second with 72 points behind UBC's 122, while the men are also in second with 77 points, trailing EOU's 110. With a strong showing, the Yotes have positioned themselves well to finish among the top teams in the conference as competition resumes Saturday.
