Bears Record Six Personal Bests on Day One at Graduate Classic

Friday, January 17

Lincoln, NE

All Day

University of Northern Colorado

Graduate Classic Invitational

1/17/2025 6:44:00 PM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field, Men's Indoor Track & Field, Women's Indoor Track & Field

Day One Results (PDF)

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

LINCOLN, Neb. – Northern Colorado track and field had an impressive opening day at the Graduate Classic Invite on Friday, highlighted by six personal bests and several top-10 all-time performances in program history at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Senior Isaac Rascon led the way in the 3000 meters, finishing 11th with a personal-best time of 8:39.82. His performance moved him from sixth to fifth on Northern Colorado's all-time indoor list. Sophomore Dylan Wilson also set a personal best in the event, clocking 8:56.82 to finish 17th.

In the 1000 meters, senior Nathan Plant made an impressive debut, clocking 2:30.86, just one second shy of Northern Colorado's school record. Plant's time earned him 14th overall.

Senior Colton Magnuson recorded a season-best time of 4:31.64 in the mile, finishing 20th.

In the field events, junior Jaylen Lee placed 13th in the long jump with a mark of 6.25m, while sophomore Ryan Pollyea finished 17th with a jump of 6.14m.

Senior Summer Olson had a standout performance in the 3000 meters, finishing ninth with a personal-best time of 10:07.08. Her effort elevated her from seventh to fifth on Northern Colorado's all-time indoor list. Senior Julia Thigpen followed in 14th place, recording a season-best time of 10:34.88.

In the mile, senior Shantell Hafner clocked a season-best 5:13.53, good for 13th place. Sophomore Ciara Piffarerio and freshman Sherika Thomas achieved personal bests in the 400 meters, with times of 1:02.90 and 1:05.82, respectively.

The women's field events saw senior Alexa Oatman lead the way in the pole vault with a season-best clearance of 3.49m, finishing 10th. Oatman's effort sets the tone for her season as she looks to push for even higher marks in the coming weeks.
In the long jump, junior Kiana Van Haaren led the Bears with a leap of 5.23m, placing 12th. Freshman Jaelynn Lane and Piffarerio followed with marks of 4.99m and 4.65m, respectively.

"The Bears had a solid day on the track for opening up the weekend. We were extremely impressed by Nate for being just 1 second off the school record in his debut 1k! Isaac Rascon, Dylan Wilson & Summer Olson took advantage of the opportunity to compete against tough competition, which in return gave them all new personal bests to build off of through the season," said Assistant Track & Field Coach Stormie Sickler, "Alexa carried our field events today, jumping a season best, giving her good energy to continue to shoot for higher marks in the pole vault in the coming weeks. Overall, we started the weekend strong, and we're eager to capitalize on the rest of the events tomorrow!"

Day 1 Highlights at a Glance:
- Six personal bests recorded by the Bears.
- Summer Olson (3000m) and Isaac Rascon (3000m) each moved into fifth all-time in Northern Colorado's indoor record books.

Northern Colorado Results | Graduate Classic – Day 1

Men
1000 Meters
14. Nathan Plant – 2:30.86 (PR, UNC #2)

Mile
20. Colton Magnuson – 4:31.64

3000 Meters
11. Isaac Rascon – 8:39.82 (PR, UNC #5)
17. Dylan Wilson – 8:56.82 (PR)

Long Jump
13. Jaylen Lee – 6.25m
17. Ryan Pollyea – 6.14m

Women
400 Meters
19. Ciara Piffarerio – 1:02.90 (PR)
23. Sherika Thomas – 1:05.82 (PR)

Mile
13. Shantell Hafner – 5:13.53

3000 Meters
9. Summer Olson – 10:07.08 (PR, UNC #5)
14. Julia Thigpen – 10:34.88

Pole Vault
10. Alexa Oatman – 3.49m

Long Jump
12. Kiana Van Haaren – 5.23m
17. Jaelynn Lane – 4.99m
18. Ciara Piffarerio – 4.65m

Next Up: Northern Colorado returns to action on Saturday for the second and final day of the Graduate Classic Invite.

For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the cross country and track and field teams on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsTFXC), and Instagram (@UNC_BearsXCTF).