NAMPA, Idaho — The College of Idaho track and field teams delivered a strong showing in front of a home crowd at Northwest Nazarene University over the weekend, highlighted by a school record, multiple national qualifiers, a men's team title and a flurry of personal bests.
The meet began Friday night with the women's hammer throw before lightning forced a delay midway through the men's competition. Action resumed Saturday morning, with the remainder of events contested throughout the day.
The Yotes recorded a new school record in the women's shot put, three new NAIA "B" qualifying marks, 13 Cascade Conference qualifiers, 12 program top-10 marks and 57 personal records. The men claimed the team title with 148 points, while the women finished second with 114 points.
Leading the way on the national stage, Keenan Blair hit an NAIA "B" qualifying mark in the shot put with a winning throw of 16.41 meters, improving his own No. 2 all-time mark in program history. On the women's side, Taylor Durfey earned an NAIA "B" mark with a first-place finish in the hammer throw at 52.26 meters, moving to No. 3 all-time at C of I. Kiely Munson added an NAIA "B" mark in the 800 meters, placing fourth with a time of 2:12.61 that ranks No. 5 all-time in program history.
The men were fueled by standout performances across sprints, relays and throws. The 4x100-meter relay team of Tristin Veach, Trevor Treat, Cash Mckie and Kenyon Carter raced to a first-place finish in 42.35, moving to No. 7 all-time in program history. The 4x400-meter relay team of McKie, Treat, Veach and Carter also captured first place in 3:21.68, ranking No. 9 all-time.
Bryson Montag posted a pair of strong efforts, placing second in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.94, good for No. 5 all-time at C of I, while adding a third-place finish in the long jump. Chris Olson added a runner-up finish in the long jump, with multiple Yotes earning conference qualifying marks in the event.
In the throws, Easton St. Germain placed second in the shot put with a mark that ties for No. 3 all-time in program history, while Patxi Franks added a third-place finish. Reed Martin took second in the discus, and Lucas Midgett added a runner-up finish in the hammer throw while improving his own top-10 mark.
On the women's side, Helene Rae delivered a record-breaking performance in the shot put with a throw of 14.45 meters to set a new school record and currently rank No. 4 in the NAIA.
Mattie Shirts led the field events with a win in the high jump, while Kiriann Johnson claimed the pole vault title. On the track, the Yotes' 4x400-meter relay team of Munson, Jovi Kuskie, Macy Eggart and Paiten Braseth secured a first-place finish in 4:05.79.
Ellayna Davis added another event win in the discus, helping pace a deep and productive weekend for the Yotes' women.
The Yotes will look to carry the momentum on the road next weekend. The multi-event athletes prepare for the CCC Multi-Event Championships while the rest of the program heads back to Portland for their next opportunity to compete at Lewis and Clark College.
