RESULTS
ALLENDALE, Mich. (May 23, 2015) – Freshmen Devundrick Walker (Aurora, Colo.) and Derrick Williams (Columbia Falls, Mont.) became the first Colorado State University-Pueblo men's track and field All-Americans since 1993, Saturday at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships, while a total of three Pack athletes competed on the last day of the championships.
Williams finished third in the 1500 meter run, Walker ran sixth in the 800 meter run and on the women's side, freshman Rachael Lopez (Fort Lupton, Colo.) was ninth in the 1500 meter run.
The men's team totaled nine points to finish T-30th in their first NCAA Outdoor Championships since 1993, where they placed 43rd. Walker and Williams became the first outdoor All-Americans for men's track and field since Ivory Rounds in the triple jump at the 1993 championships.
Williams ran a time of 3:48.62 to finish third and earn his third NCAA All-American award (twice indoors).
He was an USTFCCCA All-Region selection, All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference First Team and RMAC Champion in the 1500m this outdoor season. He was named RMAC Male Athlete of the Meet following the RMAC Championships after also winning the 3000 meter Steeplechase.
Williams was a two-time indoor All-American this season, as he anchored the men's distance medley relay team to a national runner-up finish and then finished second in the 3000 meter run.
Walker ran a personal-best 1:50.28 in the preliminaries Friday and was just off that mark Saturday as he crossed the line at 150.80. Walker was the fastest freshman in the race, as he was one of just two in the entire qualifying field.
Walker was second at the RMAC Championships in the 800m to earn All-RMAC First Team honors. He also posted a provisional qualifying time in the 1500 meter run during the outdoor season. The All-American award is the second of his young career, as he was also a member of the indoor distance medley relay team that finished second.
Lopez ran a time of 4:34.93 in the 1500m to place ninth, just one spot from claiming a team point and earning All-American status. The race was her first NCAA Championship finals experience and third overall championship race as she ran in the prelims of the event Thursday and in the 800 meter run prelims at indoor nationals.
The freshman was named USTFCCCA All-Region, RMAC Female Freshman of the Year, All-RMAC First Team and was crowned RMAC Champion in the 1500 meter run at the conference meet this outdoor season.
The NCAA Championships were held May 21-23 at the Grand Valley State University Track and Field Stadium in Allendale, Michigan and hosted by GVSU and the West Michigan Sports Commission.
The women's team qualified two for the outdoor national meet, as freshman Alyssa Evans (Colorado Springs, Colo.) competed in the preliminaries of 400 meter dash Thursday. The women's team totaled 110 points and took two individual and the 4x400 meter relay titles at the RMAC Championships to finish fourth in the field of 13 teams. Last season the Pack recorded 64 points and finished sixth at the outdoor championships.
Returning as a collegiate sport for the first time in 22 years, the men's team sent four individuals to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, as junior Dante Carter (Las Vegas, Nev.) ran in the prelims of the 800m Friday and freshman Dueth Vassell (Denver, Colo.) competed in the 400 meter dash Thursday. The ThunderWolves capped the RMAC Championships in fifth place (11 teams) with 78.5 points and won three individual titles and the 4x400 meter relay.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
