ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The College of Idaho track and field teams completed day two of the NAIA Outdoor Championships on Thursday, wrapping up weather-delayed events from the previous evening and adding a pair of All-American performances.
Freshman Helene Rae continued her standout debut season, placing fifth in the women's shot put with a mark of 14.48 meters (47-6.25), good for a new school record, to earn her second career NAIA All-America honor. Rae also claimed All-American status during the indoor season with a fifth-place finish, capping an impressive first year on the national stage.
Junior Rozzlyn Cazier delivered a breakthrough performance in the women's 10,000 meters, placing seventh in 37:03.37 to earn her first career All-American honor and score two points for the Yotes. Cazier surged 10 spots from her original seed in a tactical race that saw her sitting in last place early on before steadily working her way through the field. She sealed her podium finish with a strong 79-second final lap.
In the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase prelims, junior Kylee Quinton and freshman Josie Patton each secured automatic qualifying spots for the finals out of the same heat. Quinton finished in 11:16.36, while Patton clocked a personal-best 11:16.98, a mark that ranks No. 19 in the NAIA this season.
Freshman Paiten Braseth added depth in the event, placing 16th overall with her wednesday-night time of 11:31.94.
On the men's side, senior Ashton Drage competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase prelims, finishing 19th overall in 9:33.06.
Junior Keenan Blair rounded out the day in the men's shot put, recording a mark of 15.60 meters (51-2.25) to place right where he was originally seeded; 20th.
The NAIA Outdoor Championships will wrap up Friday, with three Yotes set to compete. Kiely Munson will race in the women's 1,500-meter final, while Quinton and Patton return to the track for the steeplechase finals as the Yotes look to add to their All-American total.
