When competing at 5,739 feet above sea level, Orediggers and their fellow RMAC athletes have found a way to let the altitude bring out their best rather than letting it slow them down.
That talent was on display April 27, as outdoor track & field athletes broke several facility and meet records during the final day of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships.
Colorado School of Mines hosted the April 25-27 meet at its newly renovated Stermole Track & Field Complex, where more than a dozen Orediggers earned podium spots and medals over the weekend.
University of Colorado-Colorado Springs took the top spot in both the men’s and women’s team scores, but Mines claimed No. 2 in both — with the Mines men’s team just three points behind UCCS.
Among the record-breaking athletes was the New Mexico Highlands women’s 4×100 relay team members. Their first-place finish in 44.21 seconds not only broke facility and meet records but their time is now the fastest recorded time in NCAA Division II this season.
Relay team anchor Patreece Clarke also set a new RMAC record in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
Other athletes and teams toppled RMAC records in the men’s 4×100 relay, the men’s hammer throw, the women’s 4×400 relay and the women’s 200-meter race.
Mines senior Everett Delate also set an RMAC record of his own in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, taking first place in 13.87 seconds. Delate has now won six-straight RMAC sprint hurdles titles between indoor and outdoor events.
Along with Delate, other Orediggers ensured some of the conference gold medals would stay in Golden. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Allison Comer in the women’s 400-meter hurdle;
- Jennifer Jarnagin in the women’s hammer throw;
- Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge in the women’s 5K;
- Kitt Rupar in the women’s discus;
- Dale Thompson in the women’s pole vault;
- Jeremiah Vaille in both the men’s 10K and men’s 5K; and
- Avery Wright in the women’s heptathlon.
The Orediggers also secured several silver and bronze medals at the RMAC meet, along with their second-place finishes in the team standings.
The Mines teams were scheduled to split their teams at “last chance meets” on May 3 and May 9. Afterward, any qualifying Orediggers will prepare for the May 22-24 NCAA Division II championships in Pueblo.
For more information, including a full list of the RMAC championships results, visit MinesAthletics.com.
Click through additional photos from the final day of RMAC action:
On April 27, the New Mexico Highlands women’s 4×100 relay team members congratulate each other after taking first place at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Golden. The team ran the event in 44.21 seconds, setting an RMAC record. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines senior Kitt Rupar celebrates her gold medal in the women’s discus April 27 at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Golden. Mines hosted at its newly renovated Stermole Track & Field Complex, where Rupar and several other Orediggers claimed podium spots. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines freshman Tim Thompson, center, and other competitors set off in the men’s 800-meter race April 27 during the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Thompson took third in the event. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines junior Grace Strongman (2) runs in the women’s 1,500-meter race April 27 during the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Strongman took third place. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines junior Nick Stade competes in the men’s high jump April 27 during the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Stade placed ninth in the event. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines junior Avery Wright competes in the women’s 100-meter hurdles April 27 during the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Wright took third place. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On April 27, Adams State senior Alese Sartain is shocked to see her time in the women’s 400-meter race at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Sartain took first place with a time of 54.34 seconds, a facility record. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
CSU Pueblo sophomore Emil Meggle, foreground, crosses the finish line to take first place in the men’s 800-meter race April 27 at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. As seen in the background, CSU Pueblo’s Caleb McLeod finished second, and Colorado School of Mines’ Tim Thompson took third. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Western Colorado freshman Charlotte Heberlie prepares for a throw in the women’s discus event April 27 at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Colorado School of Mines hosted at its newly renovated Stermole Track & Field Complex. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
CSU Pueblo junior Reece Sharman-Newell, foreground, approaches the finish line in the men’s 1,500-meter race April 27 in the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Sharman-Newell took first in the event. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On April 27, an MSU Denver supporter walks through the Stermole Track & Field Complex with a flag during the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The MSU Denver men’s team took sixth place, and the women’s team took eighth. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
UCCS junior Sebastian Jean, left, reacts to his record-breaking time in the men’s 400-meter race April 27 at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Jean took first place in 46.04 seconds was a new facility record. Credit: Corinne Westeman