The Metro men’s track team placed seventh out of seven teams at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships Feb. 26 and 27 in Golden. The women’s team finished 10th out of 10 teams.

Despite both team’s last place finishes, Head Coach John Supsic said he felt both teams were mutually successful on the track.

Zach Mares reacts after running his 3000 meter race in 9:22.61 and placing 27. Mares ran better in the 5000 meter race, with a time of 15:49.17 and placed 10. Photo by Daniel Clements

“We had solid performances individually and with the men’s distance relay, so I was excited about that,” Supsic said.

The men’s distance relay, consisting of juniors Nate Newland and Carl Arnold III and seniors Anthony Luna and Rick Bogatay, finished Feb. 26 with a time of 10:02.93. The time converted to 9:48.11 for altitude and track size, and is also the second-fastest time in the nation this year, behind first place Adams State’s 9:46.70. The time automatically qualified them for the NCAA Championships.

“It’s really exciting,” Newland said. “Last year we placed in fifth and this year, we barely made first. I think we can do some big stuff.”

Junior Shawn Lindbom led the men Feb. 27, finishing second overall in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:55.51. Arnold took fifth in the 800-meter.

Sophomore Derek Fiorini qualified for the finals in the 400-meter, finishing fifth overall and first in his heat with a time of 51.84. Fiorini ended up taking sixth place in the finals, improving his time by .32 seconds.

On the women’s side, senior Taebrooke Rutter placed ninth in the mile. She was one spot away from earning team points as the top-eight finishers score. The mile was Rutter’s final race of her collegiate career.

“She was a great contributor to the team with a positive attitude,” Supsic said. “She helps with team formality.”

Rutter said her time with Metro has been great, especially the coaches, and overall it was a good experience. She believes she finished her running career on a good note.

“It was bittersweet for me,” Rutter said. “It ended with a good race, but it was also hard to let it go.”

The RMAC Indoor Track and Field Championships were held at the Colorado School of Mines on Feb. 27. Photo by Sean Mullins

Sophomores Xenia Flores and Kery Allen both scored in the 3,000 meters, finishing seventh and eighth, respectively.

Freshman Adrienne Bratton broke her own school record in the triple jump, jumping 10.74 to finish seventh in the finals.

Newland said he thinks the team overall has gotten better since the beginning of the season.

“There was a slow start, but everybody has improved,” Newland said. “Everybody is getting faster. We’re looking to do big things.”

The Roadrunners will travel to Albuquerque, N.M. March 12 and 13 for the NCAA Championships.