Rams set to travel to Don Kirby Invitational, Husky Classic

Don Kirby Invitational
Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10
Albuquerque Convention Center | Albuquerque, N.M.
Hosted by New Mexico
Coverage: Meet Schedule | Live Results | Live Video (FloTrack subscription required)

Husky Classic
Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10
Dempsey Indoor | Seattle, Wash.
Hosted by Washington
Coverage: Meet Schedule | Live Video (FloTrack subscription required)

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Colorado State track & field team will travel for its two most competitive meets of the regular season this weekend, as the Rams head to the Don Kirby Invitational and the Husky Classic.

The Rams will send their middle distance and distance runners to the Husky Classic, which is held from Dempsey Indoor in Seattle, Wash. The Husky Classic annually features a collection of top performances in the NCAA and the world for the indoor season. The remainder of the Colorado State track & field team will head to the Don Kirby Invitational, which is held each year from the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, N.M.

The 2018 Don Kirby field is 42 teams strong, and includes Arizona State (No. 25 women's), Oregon (No. 3 women's, No. 10 men's), Stanford (No. 12 women's, No. 8 men's) and Washington (No. 21 men's). Representation from the Mountain West includes host New Mexico, as well as Nevada, San Diego State, San Jose State, Utah State and Wyoming. The Husky Classic features a similar field, including Arkansas (No. 1 women's, No. 6 men's), Michigan (No. 13 women's, No. 20 men's), Oregon, Stanford, Tennessee (No. 18 women's) and Texas (No. 9 women's, No. 16 men's).

A full recap and results will be posted to CSURams.com each day as soon as each are available. Live results will be provided by each host institution, while video will be available for each meet for FloTrack subscribers.

"There will be plenty of competition in every event, so our team will really be challenged," Colorado State head coach Brian Bedard said. "This is our most competitive weekend of the regular season in terms of the number of teams and number of athletes that our team is competing against, so it'll be a real challenge for us."

Friday's action at the Don Kirby Invitational is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. MT with the pole vault, weight throw, high jump and long jump, and is slated to conclude at 8:35 p.m. MT with the women's 200 meters. On Saturday, the day's competition begins at 9:30 a.m. MT with the women's shot put and wraps up at 3:15 p.m. MT with the women's 4x400-meter relay.

Colorado State opens competition at the Husky Classic on Friday at 5:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. MT with the women's and men's 5,000 meters. Competition in Seattle, Wash., continues on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. PT/12 p.m. MT with the women's 800 meters, and concludes at approximately 4:44 p.m. PT/5:44 p.m. MT with the men's 3,000 meters.

"The Husky Classic is one of the best meets in the country from a distance/middle distance standpoint," Bedard said. "The Don Kirby is the same and is just a great venue for sprints, jumps and throws, so we get the best of both worlds this weekend. We've back off the training a little bit and want to see some big performances and see our athletes compete at their best here to get an idea of where we're at as a team going into conference."

Last Time Out: Rams at the Colorado Invitational (Feb. 2-3)
- The Colorado State track & field team placed second on the women's side and third on the men's side at the Colorado Invitational the weekend of Feb. 2-3. Along the way were multiple season bests, personal bests and marks on CSU's all-time indoor lists.
- See below for a full listing of some of the top performances from the meet and what made them notable.
Cole Rockhold
- Mile – 4:04.07/3:58.05 with altitude conversion (12th in NCAA)
Grant Fischer
- 3,000 meters – 8:13.36/7:59.51 with altitude conversion (No. 20 in NCAA)
Kelcey Bedard
- Weight throw – 65-1.25/19.84m (No. 27 in NCAA, fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list, won event)
Destinee Rocker
- 60-meter hurdles – 8.37 (third on CSU's all-time indoor list, won event)
Dominique Ward
- 800 meters – 2:13.10 (10th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
- Mile – 4:52.43 (seventh on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Roxy Trotter
- 800 meters – 2:12.37 (seventh on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Ronald Sayles
- 400 meters – 48.39 (11th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Jessica Ozoude
- 400 meters – 56.68 (12th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Julian Dulaney
- 200 meters – 21.84 (15th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Jasmine Chesson
- 200 meters – 25.03 (16th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Annemarie Carlson
- 400 meters – 57.79 (19th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Mostafa Hassan
- Weight throw – 61-11/18.87m (won event)
Jalen Hunter
- 60-meter hurdles – 8.02 (top collegian)

Rams' Men Start Indoor Season with Program-Best No. 6 Ranking, Ranked 13th in Week Two
- The Colorado State men's track & field team entered the 2017-18 indoor season with its highest ranking in program history, as the Rams were tabbed No. 6 in the nation in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division I Men's Indoor Track & Field National Team Rankings on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
- Colorado State's preseason No. 6 ranking is its highest in either indoor or outdoor track & field. Each of those previous highs were set last year, as the Rams rose to No. 8 during the 2016-17 indoor season and as high as No. 11 during the 2017 outdoor season.
- Colorado State remains in the top 10 in week one, checking in at No. 10 in the week one poll. That is the Rams' third-highest ranking in program history, ranking behind only the aforementioned two. CSU is ranked at No. 13 this week, and has been ranked no lower than that since the start of the 2016-17 indoor season.
- The USTFCCCA uses a computer ranking system that is designed to project how teams will finish at the NCAA Championships. That system assigns points totals to individual student-athletes based upon how that athlete's marks and times stack up this season as well as how they rank based upon historical data. Those points totals for those individual student-athletes are then tallied to reach the respective team's points total for that week's rankings. Current season bests as well as previous career bests are considered for the rankings.

Colorado State Men's Track & Field in USTFCCCA National Team Rankings
Preseason, Jan. 10 – No. 6 (66.24 points)
Week One, Jan. 22 – No. 10 (65.62 points)
Week Two, Jan. 29 – No. 13 (58.54 points)

Mostafa Hassan Named Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Men's Field Athlete of the Week on Jan. 30
- Following his debut in the shot put at the Air Force Invitational, Mostafa Hassan was named Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Men's Field Athlete of the Week. The senior received the honor on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
- The defending indoor shot put NCAA champion opened his 2017-18 indoor campaign with a mark of 64-1.75 (19.55m) to win the event at the Air Force Invitational and put himself in front of the rest of the conference by six feet and 4.25 inches (57-9.5/17.61m by CSU's Austin Blaho). With that mark, the Cairo, Egypt native ranks as the No. 7-ranked shot putter in the NCAA this season and the No. 30 performer in the event in the world.
- The accolade marks Hassan's ninth weekly conference honor and his third in indoor track & field. The senior has also been named Mountain West Outdoor Track & Field Men's Field Athlete of the Week six times, including a program-record and MW-record-tying four times in 2017.

Nick Kravec, Jalen Hunter Sweep Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Men's Athletes of the Week on Dec. 12
- Colorado State seniors Nick Kravec and Jalen Hunter each earned their first career weekly indoor honor from the Mountain West on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, as the duo swept Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week honors.
- With those honors, Colorado State athletes have now been honored by the Mountain West after opening weekend in three consecutive indoor seasons. It is also the second straight season that a heptathlete has been honored (Hunter Price on Dec. 13, 2016).
- Kravec topped the heptathlon field at the Mines Alumni Classic & Multi, racking up 5,507 points (5,548 when converted for track size) to win by over 100 points. The Fort Collins, Colo., native's score was a personal best, and ranks fifth in program history and well as third in the nation at that point.
- Hunter opened his indoor season with a time of 8.08 (8.12 when adjusted for altitude) in the 60-meter hurdles at the Air Force Holiday Open, a time that has been topped by only nine other athletes in program history. The senior from Denton, Texas ranked 17th in the nation at that point in the 60-meter hurdles.

World-Class Athletes Highlight Rams' Returners
- Among Colorado State's returners for this upcoming season are three athletes that ranked among the best in the world last indoor season. Each of the throws, combined events and distance events are covered as Mostafa Hassan, Hunter Price and Cole Rockhold finished the most recent indoor season ranked with the best of the best.
- See below for details on where each finished in the world rankings for the 2016-17 indoor season. The IAAF ranks the top performances in the world, whether by an amateur or professional. Each list varies in length based upon predetermined cut times/marks and a target desired number of qualifying athletes for an event.

Colorado State Returning Athletes on 2016-17 IAAF Senior Indoor Lists (in order of world ranking)
Mostafa Hassan - Shot Put - 69-10.75 (21.30m) - No. 4 (No. 1 Egypt)
Hunter Price - Heptathlon - 5,996 points - No. 9 (No. 2 USA)
Cole Rockhold - 3,000 meters - 7:59.89 - No. 99 (No. 32 USA)

Rams Return Four Indoor All-Americans
- The Colorado State men's track & field team finished the 2016-17 indoor season at No. 12 in the nation, marking the program's highest all-time NCAA finish. From that team, Colorado State returns four of five All-America performers, with Jerrell Mock being the only exception. Mock has exhausted his indoor eligibility, but will compete for the Rams this outdoor season.
- Each of Mostafa Hassan, Hunter Price and Cole Rockhold earned First-Team All-America honors with their performances in their respective events, while Grant Fischer was a Second-Team All-American. Among those was Hassan's first-place finish in the shot put, marking Colorado State's first national championship in any sport since 2005 (track & field hammer thrower Loree Smith).
- See below for how each returning athlete performed at the 2017 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships.

Colorado State Returning Athletes at 2017 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships
Mostafa Hassan – Shot Put – 69-9.5 (21.17m) – First Place (First-Team All-America)
Hunter Price – Heptathlon – 5,996 – Fourth Place (First-Team All-America)
Cole Rockhold – 3,000 Meters – 7:59.89 - Sixth Place (First-Team All-America)
Grant Fischer – 5,000 Meters – 13:55.37 – Ninth Place (Second-Team All-America)

Eight All-Conference Performers Return for Reigning Mountain West Champions
- Among the accomplishments of the 2016-17 indoor season for Colorado State were team conference titles on each of the women's and men's sides. That marked the Rams' first ever sweep of the women's and men's titles at the Mountain West Indoor Championships, the women's second consecutive team title and the men's first since 2002.
- The Rams return eight indoor All-Mountain West performers from those teams, including individual conference champions Mostafa Hassan (shot put), Hunter Price (high jump) and Cole Rockhold (3,000 meters). Grant Fischer earned indoor All-Mountain West honors in each of the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters.
- See below for a full listing of 2017 indoor All-Mountain West performers that return for the Rams this season.

Colorado State Returning Athletes with 2017 Indoor All-Mountain West Honors
Grant Fischer – 3,000 Meters, 5,000 Meters
Autumn Gardner – High Jump
Mostafa Hassan – Shot Put (individual champion/MW Men's Student-Athlete of the Year)
Nick Kravec – Heptathlon
Macy Kreutz – 4x400-Meter Relay
Hunter Price – High Jump (individual champion)
Cole Rockhold – 3,000 Meters (individual champion), Distance Medley Relay
Ronald Sayles – Distance Medley Relay

Highlights by Rams at the Air Force Invitational (Jan. 26-27)
- The Colorado State track & field team made its third and final trip to USAF Academy, Colo., on Jan. 26-27 at the Air Force Invitational. While several members of the team trained through the meet, many still recorded season-best or personal-best performances.
- See below for a listing of top CSU performances and what made them notable:
Mostafa Hassan
- Shot put – 64-2/19.55m (named MW Men's Field Athlete of the Week, seventh in NCAA, 30th in world)
Jalen Hunter
- 60-meter hurdles – 7.93 (third on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Destinee Rocker
- 60-meter hurdles – 8.41 (third on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Marybeth Sant
- 60 meters – 7.43 (fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Aliya Simpson
- Pole vault – 12-5.5/3.80m (fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Josie Spitz
- Pole vault – 12-5.5/3.80m (fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Jasmine Chesson
- 400 meters – 55.93 (seventh on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Linnea Jonsson
- Weight throw – 60-6.75/18.56m (10th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Austin Blaho
- Shot put – 57-9.5/17.61m (12th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Tarynn Sieg
- Shot put – 47-4.75/14.44m (12th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Isa Bynum
- Long jump – 23-6.75/7.18m (15th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Tate Thornton
- Pole vault – 10-11.75/3.35m (17th on CSU's all-time indoor list)

Notable Ram Times and Marks at the Air Force Team Challenge (Jan. 18-19)
- Colorado State traveled to USAF Academy, Colo., for the second time this season when the Rams competed at the Air Force Team Challenge. The Rams recorded multiple marks on their all-time indoor list and won multiple events to highlight competition.
- See below for some of the highlights from the meet and why those performances were significant.
Jalen Hunter
- 60-meter hurdles – 7.98 (fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Marybeth Sant
- 60 meters – 7.47 (fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list, won event)
McKenzie Wright
- High jump – 5-9.75/1.77m (fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Ronald Sayles
- 400 meters – 48.57 (13th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Jasmine Chesson
- 200 meters – 25.11 (15th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
London Evans
- 60 meters – 7.87 (20th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Kelcey Bedard
- Weight throw – 61-8.25/18/80m (won event)
Alex Blaho
- Weight throw – 60-1.25/18.32m (won event)
Destinee Rocker
- 60-meter hurdles – 8.46 (won event)

Notable Performances at the Potts Invitational (Jan. 12-13)
- After a month away from competition, the Colorado State track & field team returned to competition at the Potts Invitational in Boulder, Colo. The Rams recorded 13 event wins and numerous marks on CSU's all-time indoor list.
- See below for a breakdown of CSU's top performances and why they were notable.
Marybeth Sant
- 60 meters – 7.47 (fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list, won event)
- 200 meters – 24.81 (11th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Ronald Sayles
- 200 meters – 21.49 (fifth on CSU's all-time indoor list, won event)
Jasmine Chesson
- 400 meters – 55.94 (seventh on CSU's all-time indoor list, top collegiate finisher)
Caleb Hardy
- 400 meters – 48.38 (ninth on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Emma Kratzberg
- 400 meters – 57.08 (12th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Garrett Lane
- 60-meter hurdles – 8.16 (12th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Hannah Freeman
- 800 meters – 2:14.90 (13th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Nick Kravec
- 60-meter hurdles – 8.23 (17th on CSU's all-time indoor list)
Kelcey Bedard
- Weight throw – 61-6/18.74m (won event)
Alex Blaho
- Shot put – 56-6.5/17.23m (won event)
- Weight throw – 60-7/18.46m (won event)
Eric Hamer
- 3,000 meters – 8:34.47 (top collegiate finisher)
Carson Hume
- Mile – 4:14.44 (won event)
Nick Meihaus
- High jump – 6-7/2.01m (won event)
Destinee Rocker
- 60-meter hurdles – 8.54 (won event)
Tarynn Sieg
- Shot put – 47-2/14.37m (won event)
Gabby Smith
- Pole vault – 12-5.5/3.80m (won event)
E'Lias Sutton
- 60 meters – 6.97 (won event)

Notables from the Mines Alumni Classic & Multi, Air Force Holiday Open (Dec. 7-8)
- Colorado State track & field boasted a collection of top performances in the combined events, sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws after its opening weekend at the Mines Alumni Classic & Multi and the Air Force Holiday Open.
- See below for the athletes that received accolades or entered the record books with their performances in those two meets.
Nick Kravec
– Heptathlon – 5,507 points (fifth in CSU history, MW Men's Field Athlete of the Week)
Jalen Hunter
– 60-Meter Hurdles – 8.08 (MW Men's Track Athlete of the Week)
Destinee Rocker
– 60-Meter Hurdles – 8.44 (third in CSU history)
Marybeth Sant
– 60 Meters – 7.48 (fifth in CSU history)
Jessica Ozoude
– 60 Meters – 7.48 (fifth in CSU history)
Aliya Simpson
- Pole Vault – 12-5.5/3.80m (fifth in CSU history)
Talia Marquez
– Pentathlon – 3,608 points (10th in CSU history)
- Long Jump – 18-9.75/5.73m (11th in CSU history)
Gabby Smith
– Pentathlon – 3,571 points (12th in CSU history)
Tarynn Sieg
– Shot Put – 47-4.25/14.43m (12th in CSU history)
Alex Blaho
– Shot Put – 59-1.25/18.01m (15th in CSU history)
Amelia Harvey
- 60-Meter Hurdles – 8.95 (19th in CSU history)

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