Rogers’ Record Jump Highlights Strong Day as Bears Eye Final Push at Big Sky Championships

Friday, February 27

Pocatello, Idaho

All Day

University of Northern Colorado

Big Sky Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships

Photo by: Big Sky Conference

2/27/2026 8:47:00 PM | Men's Indoor Track & Field, Women's Indoor Track & Field

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

POCATELLO, Idaho - Northern Colorado turned in one of the top performances of the meet Friday at the 2026 Big Sky Indoor Track & Field Championships, highlighted by a conference championship and multiple all-time marks as the Bears head into the final day of competition.

On the men's side, UNC sits seventh in the team standings with 11 points, just behind Idaho (14) and Idaho State (23), while Northern Arizona leads the field with 56 points.

Tyler Rogers delivered the moment of the day, capturing the Big Sky title in the long jump with a leap of 7.72 meters (25'4.00"). The mark not only secured gold but moved Rogers to No. 1 all-time in Northern Colorado history.

In the men's 60-meter hurdles prelims, Daniel Beckford ran 7.91 to finish second overall and advance automatically to Saturday's final. Jaydon Sundbye also qualified, clocking 8.26 to place seventh and move to No. 7 all-time in program history. Moise Bennett added an 8.44 in the prelim round.

The sprint group saw close finishes in the 60 meters, with Mark Miller leading UNC in ninth at 6.82, followed by Edgar Garcia (6.85), Beckford (6.91) and Johnny Fisher (6.94). In the 200-meter prelims, Christopher Cheatham (22.21), Garcia (22.23) and Raphael Egbuchilem (22.25) were separated by just .04 seconds. Egbuchilem later returned to advance to the 400-meter final with a fifth-place time of 49.13. Cheatham (50.91) and Nick Ellis (51.88) also competed in the event.

Bennett concluded the heptathlon with 4,530 points to place eighth overall, improving to No. 2 all-time at Northern Colorado in the event.

On the women's side, the Bears sit eighth in the team standings with 15 points. Northern Arizona leads with 56.5 points, followed by Idaho (41.5) and Montana State (38), while UNC remains within striking distance of Idaho State (15.5) and Sacramento State (17).

Kiana Van Haaren delivered a standout performance in the long jump, placing second with a mark of 6.19 meters (20'3.75"). The jump ranks No. 2 all-time in program history and provided a significant scoring boost. Camaria Corder added a fifth-place finish at 5.93 meters (19'5.50").

April Necaise contributed points in the high jump with a fifth-place clearance of 1.68 meters (5'6.00").

On the track, Alexia Austin advanced to the 60-meter hurdles final after running 8.59 to place seventh in the prelims. Sherika Thomas ran 8.72, and Donice Bruno-Ezealah posted an 8.99 in the event. Monique Stewart punched her ticket to the 800-meter final with an eighth-place preliminary time of 2:10.83.

Caydence Brewer competed in both the 60 meters (7.82) and 200 meters (25.43) prelims, while the distance medley relay team of Claire Nowels, Brewer, Stewart and Lucy Varela finished ninth in 12:34.11.

WOMEN'S RESULTS
60m Prelims
20. Caydence Brewer – 7.82

60m Hurdles Prelims
7. Alexia Austin – 8.59q
10. Sherika Thomas – 8.72
18. Donice Bruno-Ezealah – 8.99

200m Prelims
20. Caydence Brewer – 25.43

800m Prelims
8. Monique Stewart – 2:10.83q

High Jump
5. April Necaise – 1.68m (5'-6.00")

Long Jump
2. Kiana Van Haaren – 6.19m (20'3.75") (UNC No. 2 All-Time)
5. Camaria Corder – 5.93m (19'5.50")

4000m DMR
9. Nowels, Brewer, Stewart, Varela – 12:34.11

MEN'S RESULTS
60m Prelims
9. Mark Miller – 6.82
12. Edgar Garcia – 6.85
16. Daniel Beckford – 6.91
18. Johnny Fisher – 6.94

60m Hurdles Prelims
2. Daniel Beckford – 7.91q
7. Jaydon Sundbye – 8.26q (UNC No. 7 All-Time)
10. Moise Bennett – 8.44

200m Prelims
14. Christopher Cheatham – 22.21
15. Edgar Garcia – 22.23
17. Raphael Egbuchilem – 22.25

400m Prelims
5. Raphael Egbuchilem – 49.13q
24. Christopher Cheatham – 50.91
26. Nick Ellis – 51.88

Long Jump
1. Tyler Rogers – 7.72m (25'-4.00") (UNC No. 1 All-Time)

Heptathlon
8. Moise Bennett – 4530 (UNC No. 2 All-Time)

RELAY CLUB: The Relay Club elevates the UNC Track & Field and Cross Country program by enhancing training resources, providing advanced shoes and apparel, and competitive travel opportunities that allow the Bears to perform at their best. These contributions enhance the student-athlete experience and help ensure the team continues to excel on the track and in the classroom.

Give to the Relay Club today!

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