PUEBLO, Colo. - The final day of the NCAA Division II National Championships at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl was nothing short of spectacular. The host Colorado State University Pueblo ThunderWolves rose to the occasion, turning in historic performances and achieving their highest team finish ever on the women's side. With 27 points, they finished ninth—surpassing their previous best from 2021, when they scored 15 points.
Senior Katherine Higgins headlined the day, closing her collegiate career in storybook fashion. Higgins was named the Elite 90 award winner for having the highest GPA (a perfect 4.0) among championship competitors, then topped that achievement by capturing her first individual National Championship in the women's shot put. She threw a personal best of 16.38m to earn her sixth All-American honor.
Mid-distance standout Reece Sharman-Newell also delivered a memorable performance. The English native, known for his prowess in the 800m, seamlessly transitioned to the 1500m and claimed his first individual National Championship in commanding fashion with a time of 3:48.44.
In the women's 800m, Pueblo's favorite Brit, Helen Braybrook—already a local legend and a likely future Olympian for Great Britain—ran a personal best of 2:03.67 to finish as national runner-up. She was joined on the podium by Scottish junior Leah Keisler, who took seventh in 2:07.07, earning All-American status.
Back in the shot put ring, junior Febe Wessels of South Africa continued her consistent excellence, placing fifth with a throw of 15.44m and adding another All-American performance to her résumé.
Freshman Keturah Templeman capped off her record-breaking debut season in the women's javelin, finishing ninth with a mark of 46.18m—adding to a historic freshman campaign for the young ThunderWolf.
On the men's side in the javelin, senior Ian Thomas concluded his illustrious career in 15th place with a throw of 64.27m, earning All-American honors. In the men's shot put, a young Xavier Freeman also claimed 15th place with a mark of 17.08m, becoming an All-American.
Another breakout star was sophomore Tim Anstett, who burst onto the national stage in the men's 800m. Anstett finished fifth in 1:49.95, adding All-American status to his name and capping off an incredible sophomore year.
In the team competition, Pittsburg State claimed its fourth straight men's national title with 111 points, while Grand Valley State triumphed on the women's side with 60 points, edging out Adams State, which was second with 59 points.
The 2025 NCAA Division II National Championships will be remembered as a landmark moment for the Pack, full of personal bests, record-breaking performances, and a legacy that will echo through Pueblo for years to come.
