AZUSA, Calif. - Colorado State University Pueblo track and field delivered an impressive performance on one of the biggest stages in collegiate track & field, as the ThunderWolves competed at the prestigious Bryan Clay Invitational, hosted by Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.
The nationally renowned, three-day meet annually draws some of the top professional athletes in the country, along with elite Division I and Division II programs, making the ThunderWolves' return to the meet a significant honor and a testament to the program's continued rise on the national stage.
After not competing on day one, CSU Pueblo wasted no time making an impact over the final two days of competition.
The ThunderWolves opened their weekend on day two with a strong showing in the women's 5,000-meter run, as Lily Smithson and Ella Egizio impressed in their first major collegiate meet. Smithson crossed the finish line in 18:02, while Egizio followed closely behind in 18:12, both gaining valuable experience against high-level competition.
In the 800-meter run, Mary Scoggins turned in a personal-best performance, clocking a time of 2:15.23. She was joined by a loaded group of ThunderWolves middle-distance runners competing in the elite sections. Leading the way was national champion and veteran Helen Braybrook, who posted an outstanding time of 2:05.06. Charlotte Young impressed in her Bryan Clay debut with a time of 2:07.11, while fellow national champion Jadyn Herron added a strong mark of 2:07.69.
On the men's side of the 800 meters, Tim Anstett and Caleb McCloud competed in the highly competitive invitational section. McCloud continued his strong run of form with a time of 1:48.67, while Anstett finished just behind him at 1:49.10, showcasing the depth of CSU Pueblo's middle-distance program.
Later in the evening, the ThunderWolves' distance crew delivered a series of standout performances in the 5,000-meter run. Jon Sweepe, emerging as one of the nation's top distance runners, recorded a personal-best time of 13:49.00. He was joined by Caden Schweer, who also notched a personal record at 14:20.30, and Kameron Eustace, who added another PR with a time of 14:16.27, highlighting a strong collective effort in one of the meet's deepest events.
CSU Pueblo carried that momentum into day three with another strong showing across multiple events.
Mary Scoggins opened the final day of competition with a throw of 34.24 meters in the javelin, continuing to showcase her versatility as one of the ThunderWolves' top dual-event athletes.
Also competing early in the day, Lily Smithson and Ella Egizio returned to the track in the 1,500-meter run. Smithson posted a time of 4:49.09, while Egizio followed with a time of 4:51.16, building on their strong performances from earlier in the meet.
In the elite section of the women's 1,500 meters, Helen Braybrook took on one of the toughest fields of the weekend, competing against a field made up entirely of Division I and professional athletes. As the lone Division II competitor, Brabrook delivered an impressive performance with a time of 4:17.48.
Jadyn Herron also competed in the invitational section of the 1,500 meters, turning in a strong effort with a time of 4:28.73 against a highly competitive field.
Overall, the ThunderWolves' performances at the Bryan Clay Invitational underscored the program's continued growth, depth, and ability to compete at the highest level, as multiple athletes recorded personal-best marks and gained invaluable experience against top-tier competition.
CSU Pueblo will now turn its attention to the RMAC Championships, which the ThunderWolves will host at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl in Pueblo from April 24–26, looking to carry their momentum onto their home track.
