PUEBLO, Colo. - The Colorado State University Pueblo Men's and Women's Track and Field Teams wrapped up an exciting Day 2 of the 2025 NCAA Division II Track and Field National Championships right at home in the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl. The day was marked by historic performances, emotional moments, and promising setups for Saturday's finals.
A ThunderWolf Legend Bows Out on the Podium
The headline performance of the day came from 5th-year senior Margot Thomas-Gatel, who closed out her decorated career in remarkable fashion. A multi-time All-American, respected leader, and beloved figure within the community, Thomas-Gatel etched her name into CSU Pueblo history books once more. In the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, she crossed the line in 6th place with a time of 10:36.80, earning First-Team All-American honors and securing her spot on the podium. The crowd roared as she received her official NCAA trophy, a fitting end to an illustrious five-year journey in Southern Colorado.
Women's 800-Meter Duo Dominates Prelims
In the women's 800-meter prelims, CSU Pueblo made a powerful statement. Fan-favorite and reigning indoor national champion Helen Braybrook lived up to the hype, clocking the fastest time among the 22 competitors with a blistering 2:05.15, qualifying first overall for Saturday's finals. Joining her will be first-year standout Leah Keisler from Scotland, who delivered a clutch performance to finish 6th in the prelims with 2:06.83, punching her ticket to the final and showcasing the future strength of the program.
Tim Anstett Punches Ticket in Men's 800
On the men's side, Tim Anstett ran a season-best 1:49.18 to finish 4th in the 800-meter prelims, earning his spot in the final. His strong showing puts CSU Pueblo in a great position to secure points when the finals begin Saturday.
Team Standings After Day 2
While the CSU Pueblo men's team has yet to score points — having not competed in their event finals yet — they are poised to break through on Day 3. The current men's team leader is Pittsburgh State with 28 points.
For the women, Thomas-Gatel's 6th-place finish added three points to the team total, placing CSU Pueblo in a tie for 26th place. Leading the women's team competition is Grand Valley State with 34 points.
Looking Ahead to Day 3
Day 3 action resumes Saturday at 11:05 a.m. with the women's pole vault. CSU Pueblo's campaign continues at 11:30 a.m. with freshman Keturah Templeman making her national championship debut in the women's javelin throw.
The ThunderWolves have momentum on their side heading into the final day, with finals in multiple events and several athletes in a strong position to boost the team scores. Stay tuned as CSU Pueblo aims to finish strong on its home track.
