The Adams State men’s track team finished second Saturday at the NCAA Division II national championships in Abilene, Texas, compiling 84 points to Abilene Christian’s 109. Western State finished 14th with 16 points. Colorado-Colorado Springs was 17th with 12.
The Adams State women finished fifth with 39 points. Western State was seventh with 32. Lincoln (Mo.) University won the title with 108 points.
Freshman Nick Lara of Adams State won the 800-meter run by .32 of a second over Lucky Hadebe of Abilene Christian.
Adams State’s Celedonio Rodriguez and Matt Levassiur finished second and fourth, respectively, in the 5,000.
Moses Tum of CU-Colorado Springs won the 1,500 in 3:46.30, and Western State’s Alisha Williams won the women’s 1,500 in 4:28.53.
Josh Merrick of Adams State took second place in the 3,000- meter steeplechase, finishing 18.35 seconds behind Nicodemus Naimadu of Abilene Christian. Kelly Christensen of Western State was fourth, and Reid Ellis of Adams State was fifth.
Brittany Somers of Adams State finished fifth in the women’s steeplechase and Agnes Kroneraff of Western State placed third in the women’s 5,000.
CU, CSU Div. I qualifiers
University of Colorado senior Natalie Florence won the NCAA Midwest Regional women’s steeplechase title, setting personal, school, meet and stadium records.
Sophomore Billy Nelson also earned a trip to the NCAA championships with a second-place finish in the men’s steeplechase.
Stephen Pifer qualified with a second in the 1,500.
Colorado State qualified three athletes, with senior Adam Trainor winning the hammer throw at 217 feet, 9 inches. Junior Jace Rivera finished third.
Senior Mike Nicks finished third in the steeplechase.
