2018 Colorado Running Company UCCS Invite Results

GOLDEN, Colo. – Academy of Art track & field concluded the first weekend of its 2018-19 campaign inside Mountain Lion Fieldhouse for the Colorado Running Company University of Colorado Colorado Springs Invite on Saturday.

"It was a good start to the season for the small group we had competing this weekend," said director of track & field/cross country Kevin LaSure. "There were some very promising performances this weekend that have us looking forward to getting back to training in the next few weeks in hopes to be at our best come February and March."

Following up their exciting indoor debut which featured NCAA Division II provisional qualifications for each, Darria Matthias and Rian Young-Werner were once again the highlights on Saturday. Matthias' 25.67 time placed her third of 23 sprinters in the 200m dash and Young-Werner claimed fifth of 13 jumpers in the triple jump after 37-3 (11.35m) mark came on her penultimate attempt.

Both Matthias and Young-Werner among the top finishers of the five Urban Knights running in the 60m dash. Young-Werner went 7.90 for 12th of 29, missing the final by 0.04, but Matthias was once again up front after taking third overall in the prelims (second in her heat) with a 7.69 time. The final saw Matthias placed first overall, dropping down to a 7.58 which tied her for the fastest time the event had seen on the day.

"Darria had a great debut weekend and the future is extremely bright for her once she really starts to perfect the technical aspects of her races," said LaSure. "Rian had the best opening meet of her career in the triple jump and, once she starts to put things together and gets back to her normal form from a year ago, she should have her best year yet."

Representing the men's team for the second consecutive day, Christian Carter finished runner-up in the 13-man 400m dash, sporting a time of 50.11. He also contended the 200m dash where he took fifth of 20 with a 22.90 mark.

"Christian Carter, Latavia Hawkins, and Briaunna Caver also really impressed this weekend with their effort and I look for all three to have much improved performances as the season gets into full swing," said LaSure.

With its 2018 competition now complete, Academy of Art will next be in action in 2019 with a trip to New York for the St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartan Invitational (Jan. 11) followed by the TCNJ Lions Indoor Invitational (Jan. 12).