Photo – Brayan Flores competes in the 60m dash at the Trojan Invitational. (photo by Conner Dosmann)
ALAMOSA, Colo. – The year of firsts continued this weekend for the Trinidad State Trojans as the Track and Field teams hosted their first indoor track meet in the history of the program on Saturday at the Adams State High Altitude Training Center in Alamosa. With increased safety precautions in place, the Trojans got a season that promises to be unique off to a start.
The men's 600 meters featured three Trojans and one former Trojan in a high-speed battle. Godfrey Chama won the race in 1:23.30 with Trojans Ethan Coyhis, Joshua Dean, and Dante Ritter close behind. Coyhis' time of 1:27.40 currently places him 15th nationally in the young NJCAA season.
The men's Mile was contested by four Trojans and three Adams State athletes. Elijah Delacerda of Adams State took the top spot, while Micah Stanton led the Trojans with a personal best altitude converted time of 4:31.32 which currently ranks him 12th in the NJCAA. Andy Setser also converted to a personal best, with Aldo Zavala and Amon Kibiwott following just behind.
The ladies Mile went off next with three Trojan runners competing well over the distance. Sheilah Cheruiyot finished third in the second fastest time in the NJCAA so far this season. Ashley Lagat and Sharon Jesang finished in fifth and eighth places respectively. The event was won by Morgan Hykes of Adams State.
Sophomore Brayan Flores was one of two competitors in the men's 60-meter dash where he posted a personal best time of 7.52 seconds.
Flores returned only a few minutes later to compete in the 200 meters alongside teammates Joshua Dean and Dante Ritter. Dean led the way for the Trojans (running unattached) in third place with a time of 23.96. Ritter followed in 24.15 and Flores in 24.78.
Micah Stanton and Andy Setser doubled back in the men's 3,000m to finish second and third respectively behind former Trojan Miguel Coca, who won the race. Stanton's time of 9:28.44 ranks him 9th in the country.
Sophomore Ethan Coyhis came back in the men's 1,000 meters to finish third in 2:48.48, currently the fourth fastest time in the NJCAA this year.
Cheruiyot, Lagat and Jesang doubled back after their mile race to compete in the women's 1,000 meters. Cheruiyot took the win in the event with a time of 3:26.67, kicking past a host of athletes over the last 300 meters. Lagat similarly kicked past multiple athletes to finish in second place. The ladies currently sit number four and five in the NJCAA.
A replay of the event can be found here: https://tsjctrojans.com/information/TrojanTV
Replay Event Video Times
Men's 600m - 12:40
Men's Mile - 20:15
Women's Mile - 34:20
Men's 60m - 58:40
Men's 200m - 1:21:30
Men's 3,000m - 1:37:45
Men's 1,000m - 1:52:10
Women's 1,000m - 1:58:10
Both Trinidad State track teams will be back in action February 6 at the High Altitude Training Center in Alamosa when Adams hosts the Adams State Grizzly Invite.