LA GRANDE, Ore. — The College of Idaho track and field teams opened the Cascade Conference Championships with a statement Friday, capturing five individual titles, earning 13 All-Conference honors and posting a historic performance to highlight a dominant day one.
The Yotes recorded eight new program top-10 marks and 16 personal records, headlined by a historic sweep in the men's 110-meter hurdles, the first time in program history a C of I sprint event has claimed all three podium spots.
Kenyon Carter led the charge, winning the 110m hurdles in 14.58 to move to No. 2 all-time in program history. Bryson Montag followed in second at 14.67 (No. 3 all-time), while Trevor Treat took third in 14.82 (No. 4 all-time), completing the landmark sweep.
In the field, Keenan Blair delivered a conference title in the shot put with a mark of 15.90 meters, while also placing third in the hammer throw (52.30m) to earn All-Conference honors in both events. Lucas Midgett added a runner-up finish in the hammer (52.58m), and Reed Martin placed third in the shot put (15.26m) to bolster the Yotes' scoring effort.
On the track, Oclan Ryan highlighted the distance group with a breakthrough performance, placing second in the 10,000 meters (32:14.16) to earn All-Conference honors. Entering the meet as an at-large with no expectation to score, Ryan made it his mission and delivered in a big way. Isaac Anttonen (5th) and Cass Violett (6th) added key points in the same event.
For the women, Kylee Quinton captured gold in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (11:08.59), leading a dominant showing by the Yotes in the event. Rozzlyn Cazier placed second (11:32.80) to earn All-Conference honors, while Paiten Braseth (5th), Josie Patton (6th), and Jovi Kuskie (8th) rounded out five C of I scorers. Kuskie delivered one of the most impressive efforts of the day, entering unseeded to score but dropping over 20 seconds for a personal best to earn a point.
Helene Rae added another title in the shot put with a throw of 13.39 meters, while also placing fifth in the hammer throw with a program No. 8 all-time mark (47.48m). Taylor Durfey delivered the Yotes' fifth championship of the day, winning the hammer throw with a mark of 52.25 meters. Stella Gray chipped in an All-Conference finish in the shot put, taking third with a program No. 7 all-time mark (12.62m).
Additional highlights included a program top-10 performance from the men's 4x100-meter relay, as Bryson Montag, Trevor Treat, Cash Mckie and Kenyon Carter ran 42.12 to rank No. 8 all-time.
Through 11 events, the College of Idaho men lead the team standings with 102 points, ahead of Eastern Oregon (70) and Trinity Western (43). On the women's side, the Yotes sit in second place with 82 points, trailing Eastern Oregon (92) and just ahead of British Columbia (81).
The CCC Championships continue Saturday as the Yotes look to build on a breakout opening day.
