MARION, Ind. - The College of Idaho closed out the NAIA National Championships on a high note Friday, delivering a thrilling day filled with All-American honors, personal records, and standout performances.
The Yotes started strong, going 3-for-3 in the day's early events. Sophomore Kylee Quinton led the charge in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing as national runner-up with a massive 19-second personal best. Shortly after, Braden Heath secured fourth place in the men's steeplechase, earning All-American status with a gritty performance against a stacked field, including several Cascade Collegiate Conference rivals.
Graduate student Charlotte Bowman continued the momentum, placing fourth in the 100-meter dash to claim her first career All-American honor. Bowman went undefeated through the season and prelims, with her only non-win still resulting in a podium finish.
Quinton returned to the track for her second event of the day, the 800-meter final, after qualifying as the No. 9 seed. Despite being the only runner in the field doubling back from another event, she held her own and finished ninth overall in the nation.
In the 5,000-meter races that closed out the meet, Kahea Figueira capped her collegiate career with a ninth-place finish, while Elias Everist, seeded last entering the race, defied expectations by placing 10th.
In total, six Yotes earned All-American recognition: Hayden Bostrom, Daniel Butler, and Elias Everist in the 10,000 meters; Quinton and Heath in the 3,000-meter steeplechase; and Bowman in the 100-meter dash.
Head coach Dominic Bolin and his staff expressed pride in the team's accomplishments and bittersweet emotions as they bid farewell to their seniors. With a strong returning core, the future looks bright for Yotes track and field.
