Mines Front Range #3 – Feb. 12-13
Steinhauer Fieldhouse – Golden, Colo. [Schedule] [Live Results] [Live Video]
 

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LET'S DO IT AGAIN
In the first two weeks of the Mines Front Range series, four facility records have fallen and 28 NCAA standards have been posted. While the Oredigger distance runners are off for the weekend, one never knows what can happen when track & field rolls into historic Steinhauer Fieldhouse. Just like the last two weeks, capacity will be severely limited, no spectators will be allowed and all involved will have negative COVID-19 tests accounted for the week of the event. Additionally, anyone not actively competing will be required to wear a mask.
 
NO SPECTATORS FOR MINES WINTER SPORTS
Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado, Colorado School of Mines' policy of not admitting spectators will continue for all winter sports – including indoor track & field - until further notice. Mines Athletics will continuously re-evaluate this policy as government guidance changes in the future. Fortunately, this weekend's meet features live video with natural sound for free on the RMAC Network at www.minesathletics.com/tv.
 
LOOKING BACK
Three facility records and one program record fell last weekend at Mines Front Range #2. Zoe Baker shattered the Steinhauer Fieldhouse track record in the 5K and put herself #1 in the nation. Luke Julian did the exact same thing in the mile. The fieldhouse record also fell in the men's 5K while Kyle Moran, Dylan Ko and Dillon Powell all automatically qualified for the national meet in that event. Sophia Collins made Oredigger history in the long jump by topping that program record and putting herself #3 in the nation. Overall, Mines' men and women made 18 additions to the 2020-21 NCAA qualifying lists. Needless to say, it was a successful weekend in Golden, Colo.
 
ADJUSTED SCHEDULE
Nearly everything is the same as the first two weeks of the indoor series. However, the men's and women's pole vault has moved to Saturday morning at 11 a.m., before the start of track events. Otherwise, the long jump and throws start at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The high jump begins at 5:15 p.m. on the same day. Action should wrap up by 7 p.m. as the weight throw and triple jump close out the day. Saturday kicks off with the aforementioned pole vault at 11 a.m. Then, running begins at 1:30 p.m. with the 400 meters. Everything ends with the men's mile at 3:15 p.m.
 
HISTORIC RANKINGS
The Oredigger men and women made historic moves in the national rankings on Tuesday. Mines' men took over #1 in the nation for the first time since 2018 thanks to a seven-spot jump. It marks the first time in Colorado School of Mines history that two teams are nationally-ranked #1 at the same time with the Oredigger men's basketball team sitting atop the NABC Top-25. Mines' women leapt 18 spots up to 10th for their highest ranking in program history. It was the week's second-biggest jump behind a 23-spot rise by Indianapolis. It was all fueled by last weekend's action which is outlined above.
 
RMAC ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Zoe Baker, Luke Julian and Hunter Potrykus were all named RMAC athletes of the week on Wednesday. The Oredigger trio grabbed three of the four available awards after a record-setting weekend inside Steinhauer Fieldhouse. Baker earned RMAC Track Athlete of the Week on the women's side. She shattered the 22-year-old facility record in the 5,000-meter run thanks to her time of 17:16.41. Not only did Baker remove Adams State's Kim Bosen from the record book, but she also hit a NCAA provisional standard and moved to #1 in the nation this season. Julian followed suit as RMAC Track Athlete of the Week for the men. He broke the facility record in the mile by two seconds at a 4:10.12 pace. Julian's performance automatically qualified him for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships and also ranks #1 in the nation this season. The previous record holder was George Kelly of Adams State. Potrykus, a true freshman for Mines, grabbed RMAC Field Athlete of the Week for the men after clearing 4.97 meters (16-3.5) in pole vault. That NCAA provisional mark ranks #3 all-time for the Orediggers and keeps Potrykus ranked #1 in the RMAC and #8 in the nation this season.
 
UP NEXT
Mines closes the Front Range series next weekend inside Steinhauer Fieldhouse. As per the campus policy, fans will not be allowed, but live results will be available at www.minesathletics.com/tracklive.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines track & field on Twitter and Instagram at @csmtrack. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.