One of the few Division II programs invited to compete at the prestigious meet, the ThunderWolves made their presence known throughout the weekend with standout performances in the 800-meter and 1,500-meter events against loaded national-caliber fields.
Leading the way was three-time national champion Helen Braybrook, who returned to the event that helped launch her decorated collegiate career, the women's 800 meters. Fresh off being named CSU Pueblo Female Athlete of the Year last week, Braybrook continued her incredible season by finishing fourth overall in a stacked field that featured professional runners and top Division I athletes from across the country.
Braybrook crossed the finish line in 2:06.96, defeating every Division II athlete in the field while trailing only two professional runners and one Division I competitor. The performance came in a race featuring over 40 athletes and further cemented Braybrook as one of the nation's premier middle-distance runners heading into the postseason.
Right behind Braybrook was teammate Charlotte Young, who continued her breakout campaign with a fifth-place finish in 2:07.04. The ThunderWolves duo dominated the Division II competition in the event, finishing back-to-back in one of the deepest women's 800-meter fields in the country.
The ThunderWolves also turned heads in the men's 800 meters, where CSU Pueblo stars Caleb McLeod and Tim Anstett stole the show in a field featuring more than 60 competitors.
McLeod claimed the event title with an impressive winning time of 1:47.22, continuing his remarkable season against elite national competition. Anstett followed closely behind in second place, crossing in 1:47.51 to complete a ThunderWolves sweep at the top of the podium.
CSU Pueblo's success continued in the women's 1,500 meters as Jadyn Herron delivered another elite performance against a loaded field of 47 runners. Herron finished runner-up overall in 4:19.49, trailing only a professional athlete while defeating every collegiate runner in the race. The performance adds another signature moment to Herron's outstanding season as the ThunderWolves prepare for the national championships.
On the men's side of the 1,500 meters, Jon Sweepe continued his impressive outdoor campaign with a third-place finish in 3:42.69. Sweepe trailed only one professional athlete and one Division I runner in the highly competitive field while once again proving himself among the nation's top distance runners.
Teammate Noah Louwerse also competed in the event and turned in a strong showing, placing 12th overall with a time of 3:54.34 against a deep national field.
With the Portland Twilight serving as the final tune-up of the regular season, the ThunderWolves will now await the official selections for the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, scheduled for May 21-23 at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.
Following another dominant regular season that featured national titles, NCAA-leading marks, and historic performances throughout the year, CSU Pueblo will once again look to make noise on the national stage later this month.
