University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, January 7
West Lafayette, Ind.
University of Northern Colorado
at
Gene Edmonds Invite
Record performances headline Gene Edmond Invitational
1/10/2022 8:55:00 AM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field, Track & Field
Welre Olivier and Regina Mpigachai break records to start new year
West Lafayette, Ind. - The Northern Colorado track and field team had a solid performance at the Gene Edmond Invitational on Saturday. The Bears had numerous event wins and personal bests, as well as school records and a national record set by the Tanzanian freshman phenom Regina Mpigachai and the South African wunderkind Welre Olivier.
"I thought that we competed well as a team despite losing seven of our student-athletes to COVID-related issues," Director of Track and Field Wayne Angel stated. "We were able to get a lot of work done while at the same time evaluating the fitness of our team".
Mpigachai's record-breaking performance came in the mile run with a time of 4:51.96. The time not only gave her the event title but broke the school record and placed Mpigachai into fifth place in the NCAA rankings. The previous time of 4:57.75 was held by Rikki Gonzales set in 2014. Mpigachai is currently ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky as well as the new Tanzanian record holder in the mile run.
"As outstanding as Regina was, Welre tried to steal the evening," Angel commented on the South African star. "It was exciting and inspiring to watch Welre compete."
His jump not only won the competition, but he also broke the 31-year-old school record of Jeff Coghill (50 5.5) and sed the New Zealand indoor triple set back in 1991 with a leap of 51'1 feet. The jump also set the New Zealand indoor triple jump record. Olivier is currently ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky as well as ranked No. 9 in the NCAA.
Jesse Hayward had a great day contributing to the track success of the Bears winning the 600 meters with a time of 1:21.99.
Milers Melodie Leroudier and Chloe Rylance had outstanding races with times of 5:04.89 and 5:09.90 respectively which ranks them second and third in the Big Sky. Chloe's time also moves her to sixth on the all-time UNC ranking list.
Tyler Thimsen continues to show why he is one of the best triple jumpers in the Big Sky with a solid third place finish jump of 48'6 which ranks third in the Big Sky.
Steven Cross had a nice breakthrough in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.57 which ranks fourth in the Big Sky and third on the UNC All-time rankings.
What's Ahead
Next weekend the Bears will split up and travel to Lubbock Texas for the Corky Classic and to Boulder for the Potts Invitational.
To stay up to date on all things UNC track and field, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
"I thought that we competed well as a team despite losing seven of our student-athletes to COVID-related issues," Director of Track and Field Wayne Angel stated. "We were able to get a lot of work done while at the same time evaluating the fitness of our team".
Mpigachai's record-breaking performance came in the mile run with a time of 4:51.96. The time not only gave her the event title but broke the school record and placed Mpigachai into fifth place in the NCAA rankings. The previous time of 4:57.75 was held by Rikki Gonzales set in 2014. Mpigachai is currently ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky as well as the new Tanzanian record holder in the mile run.
"As outstanding as Regina was, Welre tried to steal the evening," Angel commented on the South African star. "It was exciting and inspiring to watch Welre compete."
His jump not only won the competition, but he also broke the 31-year-old school record of Jeff Coghill (50 5.5) and sed the New Zealand indoor triple set back in 1991 with a leap of 51'1 feet. The jump also set the New Zealand indoor triple jump record. Olivier is currently ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky as well as ranked No. 9 in the NCAA.
Jesse Hayward had a great day contributing to the track success of the Bears winning the 600 meters with a time of 1:21.99.
Milers Melodie Leroudier and Chloe Rylance had outstanding races with times of 5:04.89 and 5:09.90 respectively which ranks them second and third in the Big Sky. Chloe's time also moves her to sixth on the all-time UNC ranking list.
Tyler Thimsen continues to show why he is one of the best triple jumpers in the Big Sky with a solid third place finish jump of 48'6 which ranks third in the Big Sky.
Steven Cross had a nice breakthrough in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.57 which ranks fourth in the Big Sky and third on the UNC All-time rankings.
What's Ahead
Next weekend the Bears will split up and travel to Lubbock Texas for the Corky Classic and to Boulder for the Potts Invitational.
To stay up to date on all things UNC track and field, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Players Mentioned
Hurdles
/ Men's Track & Field
Mid Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track & FieldTuesday, April 14
Wednesday, April 08
Tuesday, February 24
Tuesday, February 17
