BOULDER, Colo. - Riding the momentum of strong opening to the 2025 indoor season, the Colorado State University Pueblo track & field teams return to competition this weekend (Jan. 16-17)at the Potts Invitational, hosted on the campus of the University of Colorado.
The meet marks CSU Pueblo's first competition in nearly a month, as the ThunderWolves look to build on a statement-making start that featured NCAA records, event victories, and depth across every event group. CSU Pueblo will send a large contingent of athletes to Boulder this weekend, with competitors spread across running and throwing events, underscoring the program's depth and versatility early in the indoor season.
Historic Start to the Indoor Season
CSU Pueblo opened the 2025 indoor campaign with fireworks during a split-squad weekend in Boston, Mass., and Gunnison, Colo. The highlight came at the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, where reigning national champion Helen Braybrook delivered one of the most electrifying performances in NCAA Division II history.
Competing in the Elite Women's Mile Invitational against a completely Division I field representing the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC, Braybrook shattered the NCAA Division II indoor mile record with a stunning time of 4:30.03, winning the race outright.
The ThunderWolves also impressed at altitude at the Western Colorado Mountaineer Open in Gunnison, producing a deep slate of performances across the throws, sprints, jumps, combined events, and distance races. The Pack swept podiums, earned event wins, and showcased the depth that has become a hallmark of the program under Head Coach Matt Morris.
Potts Invitational: A Meet Filled With History
CSU Pueblo returns to the Potts Invitational with confidence — and history — on its side.
Last season at the meet, former ThunderWolves standout Reece Sharman-Newell delivered one of the most memorable performances in Colorado track & field history. Sharman-Newell became the first collegiate athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile on Colorado soil, clocking a blazing 3:59.37. The mark stands as the fastest mile ever run in an official race in the state of Colorado, with altitude conversions placing the performance at 3:53.
"People might not realize how big this is. This is huge. This is history," Morris said following the race. "There has never been a sub-four mile in the State of Colorado, and the fact that three guys did it is incredible. Glad our guy was the one who ran the fastest."
A 10-time All-American and the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor 1500m National Champion, Sharman-Newell graduated from CSU Pueblo this past spring and is now completing his collegiate career with the reigning NCAA Division I National Champions at Texas A&M University. His historic run at the Potts Invitational remains a defining moment in ThunderWolves history and a testament to the program's ability to develop elite, championship-level talent.
Braybrook's Return to Boulder
Braybrook also made her mark at last year's Potts Invitational, competing on one of the sport's biggest stages. Invited into the Women's Invitational Mile, Braybrook raced against a field that included professional athletes and proved she belonged among the best of the best. She finished fourth overall with a time of 4:49.12, the highest finish by any NCAA Division II competitor in the event.
Looking Ahead to This Weekend
After a month-long training block, this weekend's Potts Invitational serves as a key checkpoint as the ThunderWolves move into the heart of the indoor season. With national-caliber performances already on the board and a deep, balanced roster across all event groups — including a strong presence in both running and throwing disciplines — CSU Pueblo will look to continue building momentum against a strong regional field in Boulder.
Competition at the Potts Invitational is scheduled for this weekend, with events running throughout the two days.
