Cougle Makes 60-Meter Final, Two Top 3 Throwers Highlight Friday’s Action

BOSTON & RENO, Nev. (Feb. 13, 2026) –Senior Gavin Cougle qualified for the 60-meter final for a Top 10 program time and two throwers finished in the Top 3 to close the day at the Battle Born Classic and David Hemery Valentine invitational, Friday.

BATTLE BORN CLASSIC

Senior Kais Kimuli was the first to complete an event in Reno and added the first Top 3 finish. She would throw a distance of 17.78 meters, a personal best by over half a meter, on her fifth attempt for third place in the weight throw. While freshman Jade West didn’t make the cut-off for the final, she would throw 16.12 meters for 12th overall.

In the women’s long jump, senior Elayna Chafee finished with the top Wyoming jump of 5.93 meters for sixth. This mark moves Chafee to No. 7 in the indoor record book and ties her outdoor personal best. Sophomore Koi Adderley finished in 17th with her best jump at 5.58 meters while sophomore Taliah Morris took 20th with a leap of 5.56 meters.

In the men’s long jump, junior Christian Edwards and Remar Pitter would finish 9th and 10th. Edwards made the finals with his third jump, reaching 6.95 meters and all fair attempts over 6.90 meters. Pitter just missed out on the final with his best jump at 6.85 meters.

To close field action from day one for the Pokes with the men’s weight throw. Sophomore Charles LaFore finished in third with his best toss of 19.07 meters on his final attempt. He was one of only two collegiate throwers to reach the 19-meter mark. Freshman Ayden Mills would take fifth with a mark of 16.97 meters on his second toss.

On the track, four Cowgirls ran in the 60-meter hurdles prelims. Sophomore Carly Norman finished in 24th with a time of 8.96, missing out on the Top 16 cut-off for the semifinal. Freshman Desirae Iacovetto crossed with the 28th best time of 9.04 while fellow freshman Payton Becker took 33rd with a time of 9.15. Sophomore Avery Navest rounded out the Cowgirls with a time of 9.60 for 41st.

Senior Gavin Cougle was the lone Cowboy to reach the 60-meter semifinal with his time of 6.81 for the big “Q”. In the semis, Cougle would one-up himself with a time of 6.79 to qualify for the final. While he didn’t start for the final, the senior still ran a personal best tied for the No. 7 time in program history.

Other Cowboys in the 60 meters were senior Carter McComb with a time of 7.04 and Edwards crossing the line at 7.05, both in the prelims.

DAVID HEMERY VALENTINE INVITATIONAL

The first event for the Cowboys in Boston was the 800-meter Open run, and senior Tristan Knueppel was the lone runner for Wyoming in the event. He would finish 50th in the field of 164 finishers with a time of 1:53.28.

Four Pokes ran in the mile Open section with senior Ryker Holtzen leading the way. He would finish 30th with a time of 4:01.43. Senior Mac Zastrow finished not far behind, crossing the line at 4:02.32 for 42nd.

Sophomore Solomon Holden-Betts and Austin Akers rounded out the mile run with times of 4:12.78 for 177th and 4:13.81 for 189th out of 283 finishers, respectively. This is a personal best finish for Akers, beating his last record set at the Colorado Classic.

In the 3,000 meters, senior Jacob White earned the top finish on the day with his time of 7:54.20 for 21st. Junior Aidan Ramsey would cross the line next with a time of 8:38.69 for 193rd while sophomore Tanner Brown took 198th out of 209 with his finish of 8:40.74.

Senior Dylan van der Hock ran in the 5,000 meters and finished with a time of 14:28.31. He took 138th out of a field of 186 finishers and 15th in his heat.

UP NEXT

Saturday in Reno will begin at 11 a.m. MT with the women’s high jump, shot put and 400 meters. In Boston, the women will take over distance events starting at 8 a.m. MT.

Stay up to date with Wyoming cross country by following @wyo_track on X and Instagram.