Completed Event: Track and Field at UNM Don Kirby Elite on February 13, 2026 ,
Track & Field
at UNM Don Kirby Elite
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Grand Canyon wraps up Don Kirby Elite Invitational
2/15/2026 1:36:00 PM | Track and Field
GCU records fall as Lopes inch closer to Mountain West Outdoor Championships
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Grand Canyon wrapped up a strong weekend of competition at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational, highlighted by school records and personal bests as the Lopes prepare for the Mountain West Championships.
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"Again, the fireworks of performances started early on Friday, and the finale on Saturday was spectacular," GCU head coach Tom Flood said.
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The weekend began with a historic performance from graduate Taliyah Booker, the Lopes runner who opened the meet by breaking her program record in the 400 meters, clocking a time of 53.02 seconds.
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"With only two weeks out from conference, we tried to limit most athletes to one event and keep them healthy," Flood said. "Despite our best efforts to limit many performances, I felt that Nina Thevenin, Jagger Zlotoff and Alyssa Blockburger had wonderful doubles this week."
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Those three Lopes recorded top-10 GCU performances in their weekend events.Â
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Thevenin, a sophomore, had a great performance in the 60- and 200-meter dashes with respective times of 7.32 and 23.59.
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Zlotoff, a graduate transfer, posted altitude-adjusted times of 4 minutes, 5.12 seconds in the mile and 8:16.05 in the 3,000, with both ranking in the program's all-time top 10.
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Blockburger, the graduate transfer from USC, finished the 400 in 55.52 and ran an altitude-adjusted 2:11.63 in the 800, giving her two top-10 marks as well.
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GCU junior Eva Lowder had another outstanding performance in pole vault, clearing 14 feet, 5 inches on her final jump. The heights marks the fourth time she has broken her program record this season.
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The Lopes will send a small group to Flagstaff next weekend for the NAU Tune Up as they sort out who will head to the Mountain West Outdoor Championships in Reno, Nevada.
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"Again, the fireworks of performances started early on Friday, and the finale on Saturday was spectacular," GCU head coach Tom Flood said.
Â
The weekend began with a historic performance from graduate Taliyah Booker, the Lopes runner who opened the meet by breaking her program record in the 400 meters, clocking a time of 53.02 seconds.
Â
"With only two weeks out from conference, we tried to limit most athletes to one event and keep them healthy," Flood said. "Despite our best efforts to limit many performances, I felt that Nina Thevenin, Jagger Zlotoff and Alyssa Blockburger had wonderful doubles this week."
Â
Those three Lopes recorded top-10 GCU performances in their weekend events.Â
Â
Thevenin, a sophomore, had a great performance in the 60- and 200-meter dashes with respective times of 7.32 and 23.59.
Â
Zlotoff, a graduate transfer, posted altitude-adjusted times of 4 minutes, 5.12 seconds in the mile and 8:16.05 in the 3,000, with both ranking in the program's all-time top 10.
Â
Blockburger, the graduate transfer from USC, finished the 400 in 55.52 and ran an altitude-adjusted 2:11.63 in the 800, giving her two top-10 marks as well.
Â
GCU junior Eva Lowder had another outstanding performance in pole vault, clearing 14 feet, 5 inches on her final jump. The heights marks the fourth time she has broken her program record this season.
 Â
The Lopes will send a small group to Flagstaff next weekend for the NAU Tune Up as they sort out who will head to the Mountain West Outdoor Championships in Reno, Nevada.
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Players Mentioned
/ Track and Field
/ Track and Field
/ Track and Field
/ Track and Field
Thursday, September 03
Saturday, August 29
Thursday, August 27
Monday, August 24