Track & Field Opens Outdoor Season with Strong Performances at CSU Invite

Saturday, March 29

Fort Collins, Colo.

All Day

University of Northern Colorado

Jack Christiansen Invite

Photo by: Kim Spurny, UNC Athletics

3/29/2025 8:44:00 PM | Men's Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Outdoor Track & Field

Bears notch multiple top-10 finishes before weather suspends competition

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Northern Colorado delivered strong performances at the Jack Christiansen Invitational, hosted by Colorado State, before the meet was suspended due to weather.

In the 5000m, Claire Nowels placed sixth with a time of 18:25.91, while Julia Thigpen secured eighth place at 19:39.47.

In the 1500m, Shantell Hafner led the Bears with a sixth-place finish in 4:35.93.

Sherika Thomas had a strong showing in the 100m hurdles, taking fourth place with a time of 14.98. Kara Sidwell finished 10th in 15.74.

In the 100m dash, Marely Del Campo (12.59) and Vanessa Ward (12.67) secured top-10 finishes in sixth and eighth place.

Field events saw standout performances, with Kiana Van Haaren finishing second in the long jump with an impressive mark of 19' 10.74" (6.07m), ranking #3 all-time at UNC. Jaelynn Lane followed closely behind, taking third place at 18' 7.5" (5.68m). Ciara Piffarerio cleared 5' 1.25" (1.56m) in the high jump, placing seventh, and also finished seventh in the long jump (16' 11.75" / 5.18m).

Northern Colorado's men's team had several highlights, including a second-place finish in the 4x100 relay as the team of Cruzan, Fisher, Garcia, and Vinton clocked in at 40.36 seconds.

In the 100m, Zander Cruzan took home the victory with a time of 10.63, while Edgar Garcia finished third in 10.74. Floyd Samuels Jr. (10.92) and Johnny Fisher (10.94) placed sixth and seventh, respectively.

Dylan Wilson delivered a strong performance in the 800m, taking second place with a time of 1:53.71. In the 1500m, Nathan Plant led the team with a 10th-place finish in 3:55.28, marking the #7 all-time performance at UNC, while Wilson followed in 12th with a time of 3:56.78, ranking #9 all-time.

In the hurdles, Moise Bennett placed seventh in the 110m hurdles (14.78).

Ryan Pollyea competed in both the high jump and long jump, placing sixth in the high jump (6'0" / 1.83m) and eighth in the long jump (21' 6.5" / 6.57m).

Kaliff Guevara secured second place in the triple jump with a mark of 47' 10" (14.58m), while Jaylen Lee placed fourth (43' 9" / 13.34m).

WOMEN
5000m
6. Claire Nowels – 18:25.91
8. Julia Thigpen – 19:39.47

1500m
6. Shantell Hafner – 4:35.93
12. Brooke Elfert – 4:47.07
18. Ania Magdesian – 4:57.55

100m Hurdles
4. Sherika Thomas – 14.98
10. Kara Sidwell – 15.74
11. Annison Pound – 16.10

100m
6. Marely Del Campo – 12.59
8. Vanessa Ward – 12.67
15. Alison Hoodak – 12.96
17. Kayla Christansen – 13.08

800m
11. Ania Magdesian – 2:25.85
12. Jessica Wilson – 2:26.48

Shot Put
15. Sophie Blankman – 27' 6.5" (8.40m)

High Jump
7. Ciara Piffarerio – 5' 1.25" (1.56m)

Long Jump
2. Kiana Van Haaren – 19' 10.74" (6.07m) (#3 UNC All Time)
3. Jaelynn Lane – 18' 7.5" (5.68m)
7. Ciara Piffarerio – 16' 11.75" (5.18m)

MEN
5000m
8. Noah Osmond – 15:20.04
13. Hayden Hyman – 17:38.47

4x100 Relay
2. Cruzan, Fisher, Garcia, Vinton – 40.36

1500m
10. Nathan Plant – 3:55.28 (#7 UNC All Time)
12. Dylan Wilson – 3:56.78 (#9 UNC All Time)
13. Isaac Rascon – 4:06.14
14. Hunter Kenney – 4:09.75
15. Colton Magnuson – 4:10.03

110m Hurdles
7. Moise Bennett – 14.78
12. Jaydon Sundbye – 15.45
15. Jameson Rembert – 17.00

100m
1. Zander Cruzan – 10.63
3. Edgar Garcia – 10.74
6. Floyd Samuels Jr. – 10.92
7. Johnny Fisher – 10.94
14. Nick Ellis – 11.41
15. Griffin Eastman – 11.46

400m
9. Nick Ellis – 50.51

800m
2. Dylan Wilson – 1:53.71

High Jump
6. Ryan Pollyea – 6'0" (1.83m)

Long Jump
8. Ryan Pollyea – 21' 6.5" (6.57m)
9. Jaylen Lee – 20' 8.25" (6.31m)
11. Digby Marshall – 20' 6.75" (6.27m)
12. Kaliff Guevara – 20' 3.5" (6.19m)
16. Alante Monroe-Elazier – 17' 0.5" (5.20m)

Triple Jump
2. Kaliff Guevara – 47' 10" (14.58m)
4. Jaylen Lee – 43' 9" (13.34m)

Javelin
11. Jameson Rembert – 140' 9.25" (42.91m)

UP NEXT
The Bears will travel to Tucson, Ariz. for the Jim Click Shoot Out Invite hosted by Arizona. The two day meet will take place April 4-5.

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