Colorado School of Mines redshirt senior Abbi Gillespie warms up for the women's shot put at the March 27 Mines Midweek Meet.
Colorado School of Mines redshirt senior Abbi Gillespie warms up for the women's shot put at the March 27 Mines Midweek Meet. Gillespie placed third in the event, along with second in women's hammer throw and sixth in women's discus. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Nearly two dozen Orediggers are hoping to make this Memorial Day weekend one to remember, as the Colorado School of Mines outdoor track & field teams compete at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

CSU Pueblo is hosting the May 22-24 meet at the ThunderBowl. This will be CSU Pueblo’s second time hosting in three years.

The Orediggers, who train at approximately 5,800 feet above sea level, will have an advantage over most athletes, considering the ThunderBowl is about 4,700 feet above sea level. During the 2023 national meet in Pueblo, the Mines women’s and men’s teams took 11th and 12th place, respectively.

Colorado School of Mines runner Loic Scomparin, center, competes in the men's 3K race at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships
Colorado School of Mines runner Loic Scomparin, center, competes in the men’s 3K race at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships March 13-15 in Indianapolis. Scomparin took second in the event, as well as second in the men’s 5K, helping the Mines men’s team finish third overall at the meet. Credit: Tim Flynn / Mines Athletics

This year, 13 men and nine women Orediggers qualified for 25 total events, Mines Athletics announced May 13.

Senior Loic Scomparin will help lead the men’s distance group in Pueblo, as he hopes to build on his indoor-season successes in the men’s 5K and 10K races. Scomparin took home silver medals in both the men’s 3K and 5K races from the indoor season.

All-American cross-country runners Logan Bocovich, Paul Knight and Jeremiah Vaille will join Scomparin in the 10K race, as will first-time qualifier Braden Struhs. Meanwhile, fellow cross-country runner Dawson Gunn will join Scomparin in the 5K race.

The Mines men’s team is sending six more track athletes to Pueblo, but Holden Murphy is serving as the lone representative for the Mines men’s field group. He will be competing in the hammer throw.

Meanwhile, the Mines women’s team is sending three throws athletes — the most ever — to nationals.

Colorado School of Mines junior Kitt Rupar, center, celebrates placing sixth in women's discus at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships
Colorado School of Mines junior Kitt Rupar, center, celebrates placing sixth in women’s discus at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships May 23-25 in Emporia, Kansas. Rupar also placed eighth in the women’s shot put. Credit: Tim Flynn of Mines Athletics

Senior Kitt Rupar, who’s competing in both shot put and discus, will lead the group. She had podium finishes in both events at last year’s national meet.

Joining her are Jennifer Jarnagin and Abbi Gillespie, both of whom will compete in the hammer throw.

Pole vaulter Dale Thompson rounds out the Mines women’s field group.

Among the women’s track athletes, indoor 5K national champion Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge looks to medal in both the women’s 5K and 10K races.

For more information, including the full meet schedule, visit MinesAthletics.com.

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