GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Colorado State University Pueblo track and field turned in a strong showing at the Maverick Invite in Grand Junction, highlighted by event victories, NCAA qualifying marks, and multiple podium finishes against a competitive RMAC-heavy field.
Leading the way for the ThunderWolves was a dominant performance in the throws and javelin. On the men's side, Ian Thomas delivered one of the top performances of the meet, winning the javelin with an NCAA provisional mark of 61.82 meters (202'10"). His opening throw held up as the best in the field and set the tone for a strong day for the Pack's throwers.
He was joined by teammates Maverik Mertens and Luke Mummert, who finished second and third, respectively, as CSU Pueblo swept the podium in the men's javelin. Mertens recorded a top throw of 52.91 meters, while Mummert followed at 47.67 meters, showcasing the depth of the ThunderWolves' throwing unit.
On the women's side, it was another standout performance from All-American Keturah Templeman, who captured the javelin title with a mark of 44.11 meters (144'9"). The throw not only secured the win but also met the NCAA provisional standard, continuing her strong start to the outdoor season at a venue where she previously set the facility record.
Templeman wasn't the only Pack athlete making noise in the throws. Febe Wessels turned in a strong all-around weekend, placing second in the women's hammer throw with a mark of 44.42 meters before adding a third-place finish in the javelin at 38.63 meters. Her versatility across multiple throwing events proved valuable for CSU Pueblo.
In the men's hammer throw, the ThunderWolves placed four athletes inside the top eight, led by Lukas Moran, who finished runner-up with a throw of 54.77 meters. Ryan Lane added a third-place finish at 50.78 meters, while Xavier Freeman (47.92m) and Felipe Castro (46.27m) rounded out the Pack's scoring presence in fifth and eighth, respectively, highlighting the team's depth in the event.
Across the board, CSU Pueblo's performances were marked by consistency and depth, particularly in the throwing events where the ThunderWolves controlled multiple leaderboards. With NCAA qualifying marks, event wins, and several top-three finishes, the Pack continued to build momentum early in the outdoor season against some of the top competition in the region.
