RENO, Nev. – The first indoor track and field meet of the year was a success for Grand Canyon as multiple program records were broken.
“We had a fantastic season opening meet this week in Reno.” Lopes head coach Tom Flood said,
GCU senior
Germain Lemaitre broke the schools 800-meter record with a mark of 1 minutes, 48.85 seconds. This time also set Lemaitre at second in the nation just behind Thomas Cowan at Boston College.
Germain continued his standout weekend winning the 600-meter, running it in 1:17.021.
The Lopes transfer standouts, junior
Tatum Moku and junior
Eva Lowder, also broke the school record in pole vault. The record was broken at 4.25 meters for both.
Flood was impressed by the level pole vault brought this weekend.
“To cap off a great first day, both Eva Lowder and Tatum Moku shattered our school record in the women’s pole vault and tied for second in the nation,” Flood said.
Lopes Junior Praise Jubinor was also the top finisher in men’s long jump at the 7.29-meter mark.
Moving onto the weekend, the Lopes continued to have top finishers.
“On Saturday, we picked up right where we left off on Friday with our men’s 60-meter hurdles, won by Francisco Marques with a time of 7.92,” Flood said. “Miguel Rosario had a fantastic season opener in the 200-meter (setting a mark of 20.81) which is the fourth fastest time in Mountain West Conference history and third in the NCAA.”
GCU junior Gavin Dimick finished first in pole vault with a mark of 5.1 meters.
Transfer junior Antoni Smith kept up the Saturday momentum finishing first in the high jump at 2.05 meters.
Flood also gave praise to sophomores Cassie Small and Nina Thevenin for the meet.
“I thought that both Cassie Small and Nina Thevenin both had great doubles in the 60 and 200 meters,” Flood said.
“We finished the weekend with a bang as Miguel Rosario won the 60-meter dash in 6.62 which ties him with the third fastest time in Mountain West history and currently third in the NCAA.”
The senior Rosario is looking to have his best year yet with high praise from Flood,
“It should be without saying that Miguel had a great weekend and to think we are just getting started,” Flood said.
The Lopes wrapped up the weekend with eight victories in their season opener as they begin their quest for a Mountain West championship in their inaugural season.
“We now will take a little break for the holidays, but we can’t wait to get started again and get even better when the season starts again in January,” Flood said.
The Lopes head to Flagstaff after the break on Jan. 9 to compete in the Friday Night Axe ‘Em Open hosted by Northern Arizona.