COFFEYVILLE, Kan. – Seniors Nathaneal Gibson and Cadence Cordova's victories in the 800m highlighted the Hillcats outdoor opener at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The meet was concluded early due to a conflict on the track following the 200m.
 
Rogers State recorded an impressive total of 20 top-10 finishes.
 
The meet kicked off with the women's 1500m, where Kenzie Gilliam led the team with a third-place finish, clocking in at 5:03.44. Audrey McElhaney followed closely in fourth with a time of 5:05.66, while Stella Jones secured fifth at 5:06.53. Ryann Barber (8th, 5:23.67), Kylea Hatfield (9th, 5:27.12) and Tehya Lang (10th, 5:28.96) added top-10 runs. Britt Hunter achieved a personal best with an 11th-place finish (5:29.87), and Sarah Swofford rounded out the group in 12th (5:30.16).
 
In the men's 1500m, Ian Conder finished fifth (4:21.39), followed by Jack Morgan in seventh (4:22.46) and Adam Sium in eighth (4:24.32). Lee Davis (15th, 4:29.92), Isaac Conder (16th, 4:30.06) and Colton Storm (19th, 4:32.55) rounded out the Hillcat runners in the event.
 
The 400m was next, where Sisely Mitchell finished fourth in the women's race with a time of 1:04.28. Ann-Marie Dorsey took fifth (1:04.96), while Leyla Saldana (11th, 1:07.18) and Isabel Bush (13th, 1:07.87) added solid performances.
 
In the men's 400m, Riley Pauley led the way in 12^th (52.89), followed by Sam Russell (14th, 53.23), Jaxson Wheeler (16th, 54.13), Blake Feron (19th, 56.16) and Tesfaye Lire (21st, 57.96).
 
The women's 800m event saw Cordova take first place with a time of 2:23.01, while Brooke Martin secured second (2:26.32). Kaylee Nay (7th, 2:33.47), Kiera Blumhof (8th, 2:33.50) and Brooklyn Garafola (9th, 2:33.56) rounded out a strong showing, with Emily Cruz (10th, 2:33.64), Kendall Howell (12th, 2:38.03), Britt Hunter (16th, 2:45.07), Ryann Barber (17th, 2:47.63) and Sarah Swofford (18th, 2:49.3) also hitting the line for the Red and Navy.
 
On the men's side, Gibson secured the RSU sweep in the 800m, after taking first with a time of 1:59.48, followed by Aidan Jimenez in third (2:02.20) and Cohen McIntosh in ninth (2:04.78). Karsen Hennigh finished 11th (2:07.50) and Cade McCall took 15th (2:09.90).
 
Senior Phillip Owens concluded the day with an 18th-place finish in the 200m, clocking in at 22.20.
 
RSU track and field will next be back in action at the WashU Distance Carnival in St. Louis, Missouri, held at Bushyhead Track at Francis Field.
 

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MEN'S RESULTS
200m
Phillip Owens, 18^th - 22.20
 
400m
Riley Pauley, 12^th – 52.89
Sam Russell, 14^th – 53.23
Jaxson Wheeler, 16^th – 54.13
Blake Feron, 19^th – 56.16
Tesfaye Lire, 21^st – 57.96
 
800m
Nathaneal Gibson, 1^st - 1:59.48
Aidan Jimenez, 3^rd - 2:02.20
Cohen McIntosh, 9^th - 2:04.78
Karsen Hennigh, 11^th - 2:07.50
Cade McCall, 15^th - 2:09.90
 
1500m
Ian Conder, 5^th - 4:21.39
Jack Morgan, 7^th - 4:22.46
Adam Sium, 8^th - 4:24.32
Lee Davis, 15^th - 4:29.92
Isaac Conder, 16^th - 4:30.06
Colton Storm, 19^th - 4:32.55
 
WOMEN'S RESULTS
400M
Sisely Mitchell, 4^th – 1:04.28
Ann-Marie Dorsey, 5th – 1:04.96
Leyla Saldana, 11th – 1:07.18
Isabel Bush, 13^th – 1:07.87
 
800m
Cadence Cordova, 1^st - 2:23.01
Brooke Martin, 2^nd - 2:26.32
Kaylee Nay, 7^th - 2:33.47
Kiera Blumhof, 8^th - 2:33.50
Brooklyn Garafola, 9^th - 2:33.56
Emily Cruz, 10^th - 2:33.64
Kendall Howell, 12^th - 2:38.03
Britt Hunter, 16^th - 2:45.07
Ryann Barber, 17^th - 2:47.63
Sarah Swofford, 18^th - 2:49.31
 
1500m
Kenzie Gilliam, 3^rd - 5:03.44
Audrey McElhaney, 4^th - 5:05.66
Stella Jones, 5^th - 5:06.53
Ryann Barber, 8^th - 5:23.67
Kylea Hatfield, 9^th - 5:27.12
Tehya Lang, 10^th - 5:28.96
Britt Hunter, 11^th - 5:29.87 (Personal Best)
Sarah Swofford, 12^th - 5:30.16