VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Colorado State University Pueblo track and field teams wrapped up competition Saturday at the 2026 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Virginia Beach, capping off a historic weekend for the ThunderWolves.
The CSU Pueblo women delivered a remarkable performance, finishing fourth overall with 33 points to secure a Top-5 national finish and solidify themselves as the No. 4 team in the country in the final standings. The finish also marked the highest indoor national finish in program history for the ThunderWolves, surpassing the program's previous best of sixth place, which the Pack had accomplished twice before at the national meet. On the men's side, the ThunderWolves totaled 17 points to place 15th overall, finishing the championship as the No. 15 team in the nation.
Saturday's action was highlighted by a breakthrough moment from veteran thrower Febe Wessels, who captured her first career national championship in the women's shot put. Wessels entered the fifth round sitting in seventh place before delivering a clutch throw of 16.25 meters to surge into the lead. Holding her position through the sixth and final round, Wessels secured the national title and etched her name alongside Pack legend Katherine Higgins in CSU Pueblo history.
Helen Braybrook continued to cement her status as one of the premier middle-distance runners in the country. Just one day after helping lead the ThunderWolves to a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the distance medley relay, Braybrook returned to the track to finish runner-up in the women's mile with a time of 4:44.49. Her performance came less than 24 hours after running a blistering 4:37 mile during the DMR, finishing second in the final behind Adams State's Ava O'Connor.
In the women's 800 meters, Charlotte Young added another All-American performance for the Pack, finishing fourth overall with a time of 2:07.66.
The ThunderWolves also made a major impact in the men's 800 meters, where Tim Anstett and Caleb McLeod both earned All-American honors. Anstett placed third overall with a time of 1:49.01, while McLeod crossed the line just behind him in fourth place at 1:49.02 to give CSU Pueblo two podium finishes in the event.
Distance standout Jon Sweepe also earned national recognition, finishing 14th in the men's 3000 meters with a time of 8:11.20 to secure Second Team All-American honors.
In the field events, Xavier Freeman added to his decorated career by finishing seventh in the men's shot put with a mark of 18.01 meters, earning All-American honors and scoring valuable points for the ThunderWolves.
Behind a national champion, multiple podium finishes, and a collection of All-American performances, the ThunderWolves closed the 2026 indoor season with one of the strongest national showings in program history, highlighted by the women's program-best fourth-place finish and a Top-15 national finish from the men's squad.
