Western Colorado Athletes Earn All-American Honors at NCAA DII Championships
INDIANAPOLIS – Western Colorado University’s track and field team showcased its strength at the NCAA Division II Championships, earning three second-team all-American honors and one honorable mention All-American accolade.
Three Mountaineers Secure Second-Team All-American Status
Emma Kjellsen, Sammie Bretz, and Allison Beasley each secured second-team All-American honors by finishing between ninth and sixteenth place in their respective events.
Kjellsen Finishes 15th overall in the 1500m
Emma Kjellsen ran the 1500m, finishing 9th in her heat and 15th overall with a time of 4 minutes, 52 seconds.
Bretz Ties for 14th in High Jump
Sammie Bretz cleared 1.62 meters and then 1.67 meters in the high jump. She was unable to clear 1.72 meters, tying for 14th place after clearing 1.67 meters.
Beasley Achieves Season Best in the 3000m Steeplechase
Allison Beasley crossed the finish line in 13th place in the 3000m steeplechase with a season-best time of 9:35.90.
Deniz Receives Honorable Mention All-American Accolade
Esteban Deniz earned an Honorable Mention All-American honor, finishing 18th in his event with a time of 4:13.41.
How does the elevation of Western Colorado University, where the athletes train, perhaps contribute to their success in track adn field?
Western Colorado Athletes Earn All-American Honors at NCAA DII Championships
INDIANAPOLIS – Western Colorado University’s track and field team showcased it’s strength at the NCAA Division II Championships, earning three second-team all-American honors and one honorable mention All-American accolade.
Three Mountaineers Secure Second-Team All-American Status
Emma Kjellsen, Sammie Bretz, and Allison Beasley each secured second-team All-American honors by finishing between ninth and sixteenth place in their respective events.
Kjellsen Finishes 15th overall in the 1500m
emma Kjellsen ran the 1500m, finishing 9th in her heat and 15th overall with a time of 4 minutes, 52 seconds.
Bretz Ties for 14th in High Jump
Sammie Bretz cleared 1.62 meters and then 1.67 meters in the high jump. She was unable to clear 1.72 meters, tying for 14th place after clearing 1.67 meters.
Beasley Achieves Season Best in the 3000m Steeplechase
Allison Beasley crossed the finish line in 13th place in the 3000m steeplechase with a season-best time of 9:35.90.
Deniz Receives Honorable Mention All-American Accolade
Esteban Deniz earned an Honorable Mention All-American honor, finishing 18th in his event with a time of 4:13.41.
Q&A: Western colorado’s NCAA DII Championships
Q: What does “All-American” mean in college sports?
A: It’s a prestigious honor recognizing the top athletes in the nation. second-team All-American is awarded to athletes who finish between 9th and 16th place in their event at the NCAA Championships.
Q: What is the 3000m steeplechase?
A: It’s a track event that involves running 3000 meters while jumping over barriers and water jumps.It’s a test of endurance, speed, and agility.
Q: How high is a typical high jump in competition?
A: High jump heights vary depending on the athlete. Sammie Bretz cleared 1.67 meters (approximately 5’5.7″) and tied for 14th.Olympic-level high jumpers can clear over 2.4 meters (almost 8 feet)!
Q: What’s the difference between second-Team all-American and Honorable Mention?
A: Second-Team All-American status is earned by finishing in 9th to 16th place, while Honorable Mention is awarded to athletes who perform exceptionally well but may not have placed within the top 16.
Q: what is Western Colorado University known for in athletics?
A: Western Colorado University is known for its strong track and field programme, especially in distance running and events held at high altitudes (since the University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, at an elevation of 7,700 ft).
Q: How can I follow my favorite athletes?
A: Stay updated on collegiate sports by checking the NCAA website or your university’s athletic website for schedules, results, and athlete profiles.
These remarkable performances highlight the dedication and skill of Western Colorado’s student-athletes.Keep an eye on these Mountaineers as they continue to make their mark on the track and field scene!
