PORTLAND, Ore. - The College of Idaho Yotes delivered an impressive all-around performance at the Larry Byerly Invitational in Portland, with the men capturing the team title and the women finishing a close second in a highly competitive field.
The men's team claimed 1st place with 93 points, fueled by a balanced effort across distance events, throws, and jumps. The women's team followed with a strong 2nd-place finish, tallying 95 points and showcasing both depth and high-end national-caliber marks.
On the men's side, distance events set the tone early.
Cass Violett led the way with a dominant win in the 10,000 meters (31:11.29), hitting the CCC qualifying standard, moving to #9 all-time in program history, and climbing to #19 in the NAIA. Close behind,
Isaac Anttonen secured 2nd place in the same event (31:17.55), also qualifying for CCC and ranking #20 nationally.
Oclan Ryan added to the distance success with a 3rd-place finish in the 5,000 meters (14:41.21), improving his own #10 all-time mark and moving into the NAIA top 20.
The Yotes also found success in the steeplechase, where
Ashton Drage captured 1st place in 9:21.49. His performance earned him his first national qualifying mark, meeting the NAIA "B" standard, improved his own #4 all-time mark at C of I, and currently ranks #13 in the nation. On the women's side, the steeplechase group delivered one of the most dominant performances of the meet.
Kylee Quinton continues her dominant season, having already earned national qualifying standards in the steeplechase and 800, she won the event in 10:47.28, improving her "B" standard to a NAIA "A" standard and currently ranking #3 in the nation. She was followed by teammates
Paiten Braseth (2nd, 11:23.08) and
Josie Patton (3rd, 11:23.35), both earning top-10 all-time program marks and national rankings of #13 and #14, respectively.
In the 1500 meters,
Kiely Munson earns her second ever national qualifying mark just after earning her first in the 800 a week prior, running 4:33.31 to finish 3rd, hitting the NAIA "B" standard, moving to #5 all-time at C of I, and currently sitting #11 in the NAIA.
Julia Gilbert added a 6th-place finish in 4:38.27, ranking #19 nationally.
The throws group delivered a major boost in team scoring.
Keenan Blair led the charge with a win in the shot put (16.07m), while also taking 2nd in discus (47.96m) and 4th in hammer (49.45m), improving his own #7 all-time marks in both events.
Reed Martin added a victory in discus (49.07m), moving to #3 all-time in program history, and placed 4th in shot put (15.35m), tying for #6 all-time.
Patxi Franks contributed a 3rd-place finish in shot put (15.49m).
Additional depth came from
Aiden Fiske and
Tyson Terry, who both hit CCC qualifying marks in discus, and
Lucas Midgett, who placed 2nd in the hammer throw (51.56m).
Nolan Mead rounded out the men's highlights with a #7 all-time mark in the triple jump (13.38m).
The throws crew continued to shine for the women.
Ellayna Davis won the discus (43.18m), while
Helene Rae took 1st in the shot put (13.80m) and added a 4th-place finish in the hammer.
Taylor Durfey placed 2nd in both the shot put (12.53m) and hammer (45.65m), and
Kaylee Wuest contributed in both discus (3rd, 40.32m) and shot put (6th, 11.61m).
Ella Christensen also added a 6th-place finish in discus (37.46m).
On the track,
Allison Horsley clocked 60.46 in the 400 meters to place 7th and hit a CCC qualifying mark. In the jumps,
Jada Miller posted a personal improvement in the long jump (5th, 5.34m), moving up to #7 all-time at C of I, and also competed in the triple jump, placing 6th (10.70m).
Across the board, the Yotes combined high-level individual performances with strong depth, resulting in a meet that highlighted both national contenders and key contributors. With multiple NAIA marks, CCC qualifiers, and program top-10 performances, the trip to Portland proved to be a significant step forward as the Yotes continue their season. They are looking to keep raising the bar at their last regular season meet at Boise State University on Friday, April 24th.
