GCU compiles 'best 1st meet' to open year

Saturday, December 14

Spokane, Wash. / The Podium

11 a.m. (MST)

Grand Canyon

Spokane Invitational

12/14/2024 9:03:00 PM | Track and Field

Results

Burkett breaks school record in triple jump, highlighting standout performances

By: Josh Hauser

SPOKANE, Wash. — Grand Canyon 15th-year track and field head coach Tom Flood characterized Saturday's season-opening meet as "the best first meet in our program's storied history by far." GCU competed in the Spokane Invitational at The Podium to open the 2025 indoor season.

"It was a great day at the Oval Office for GCU," Flood said.

Several newcomers debuted to impressive first performances in GCU colors, but a long list of experienced returners also balanced out an all-around effort.

Senior Taryn Burkett was one of two Lopes to post a top-two NCAA mark in breaking her own school record in the triple jump. She led the field in Spokane with a mark of 12.96 meters to cruise past her 2022 record of 12.65m.

Another Lope to lead the field in Spokane was senior Amanda Thrue who ran the 60m hurdles in 8.57 seconds.

"I thought Amanda Thrue had a nice double," Flood said. "Winning the 60 meter hurdles and also had a nice long jump season opener."

A pair of newcomers made their impact on the women's side.

"I also thought that newcomers Nina Thevenin (60m and 200m) and Maria Sartin (600m) had nice initial performances."

On the men's side, junior Seattle U transfer Miguel Rosario III enjoyed the return to his home state by winning the 200m and posting the second-fastest time across the NCAA (20.97). The Lopes held the top four positions in the 200m with Rosario, graduate Erin Brown, senior Justin Raines and junior Conner Kittleson.

Other newcomer highlights on the men's side came from Raines, Joshua Gittens and Prosper Ekporere.

"Justin Raines also had a great premier for the Lopes in both the 60m (6.67, No. 4 NCAA) and 200m (21.17, No. 7 NCAA)," Flood said. "Another impressive newcomer performance was turned in by (senior Cornell transfer) Joshua Gittens winning the 400 meters with the No. 2 NCAA time of 47.41 followed closely by (returning junior) Ben Stratman with a time of 47.45 (No. 3 NCAA). I also thought that (sophomore Liberty transfer) Prosper Ekporere had a very nice debut in a Lope uniform in the 60m hurdles (7.94). He hadn't run a race in two years and bounced back a great first meet performance."

From a returner standpoint, a familiar name posted a couple impressive times in graduate Erin Brown.

"As always, Erin Brown had a nice double in the 60m (6.74) and a runner-up finish in 200m (21.09)," Flood said.

GCU turned in its impressive performances against a large field that included Division I opposition from: Eastern Washington, Gonzaga, Portland State, Washington and Washington State.

"We now will take a little break for the holidays," Flood said. "But we can't wait to get started again and get even better when the season starts again in January."

The Lopes return to the track on Jan. 10 when they head north to Flagstaff for the Friday Night Axe 'Em Open.