GUNNISON – The Western State Invitational concluded Saturday afternoon with Adams State University Track & Field athletes competing in sprints, the discus, and 1500m races.

Junior Austin Anaya had a highlight performance for the Grizzlies in the Men’s 1500m. Anaya won the event in a time of 3:53.64, which ranks second in NCAA Division II with an altitude conversion of 3:43.35. The time is an automatic qualifying mark for the national meet.

Also in the men’s 1500m were Richard Powell (4:11.33), Robert Guinn (4:16.82), and Dan Goll (4:46.16).

In the women’s 1500m, Carson Severson finished second in 4:57.15. Malena Grover was third in 5:01.41 and Haleigh Hunter-Galvan was fourth in 5:03.50. Kaillie Hartman placed eighth with a time of 5:13.28.

In the Men’s Discus Throw, Garrett Quintana placed third with a mark of 46.78m. In the same event, Andre Elmore and Andrew Vigil had marks of 40.93 and 38.60, respectively.

Elijah Brown was fourth in the men’s 100m running 11.47. Teammate Aaron Kinnischitske was seventh in the event running 11.76.

Kinnischitzke also competed in the men’s 200m, placing fifth with a time of 23.85. Sid Samtaney finished sixth in 24.63. Samtaney competed in the men’s 400m running 55.69, ahead of Austen Velasquez who ran 57.05.

In the sprints on the women’s side, the duo of Miranda Vigil and Aftynne Lujan competed in the 100m and 200m dash events. Vigil was eighth in the 100m (13.20) and eighth in the 200m (27.33), while Lujan was ninth in the 100m (13.33) and seventh in the 200m (27.18).

Maggie Carrico finished fifth in the women’s 400m hurdles, running 1:08.68.

Adams State Track & Field will have athletes competing on Sunday at the West Texas Invitational in Canyon, Texas.

Anaya is RMAC Men's Track Athlete of the Week

COLORADO SPRINGS – Adams State University’s Austin Anaya has been selected as the RMAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.

Anaya earns the nod after running an automatic qualifying time of 3:53.64 in the 1500m at the Western State/GHS Combined Invite on Saturday. After an altitude conversion, Anaya’s time moves to 3:43.35 which currently ranks second amongst NCAA Division II student-athletes. The senior is one of seven DII runners to record a 1500m auto time during the outdoor circuit.

Anaya becomes the fifth member of the ASU men’s program to notch an automatic qualifying time. Other Grizzlies to earn an auto mark are Oliver Aitchison (800m), Sydney Gidabuday (5000m & 10,000m), Kyle Masterson (10,000m) and Kyle Adams (3000m steeplechase).

Austin Anaya

Photo courtesy of ASU