Women's Track Goes Extra Mile at CC

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs runners claimed four of the top six spots in the mile run as the Mountain Lions competed at the Colorado College Invitational on Saturday.

Tina Gray won the race with a time of 5 minutes, 18.33 seconds (altitude adjusted to 5:09.62). Shannon Payne took second (5:22.42), while Sarah Shepard (5:34.34) finished fourth and Ashley Birger (5:38.82) took sixth. Former Mountain Lion Amanda Occhi, running unattached, took third.

"Colorado College was a meet to do some experimenting in events before the most important meets of the year come up," said UCCS coach Graeme Badger, pointing out that the mile is a non-traditional event in outdoor track. "Most of the team will have a week off from competition but seven athletes will compete in the Mt Sac Relays in California."

UCCS scored another win in the 800 meters when Sarah Cowhick covered the distance in 2:25.52, three full seconds ahead of the field.

Leah Thompson added a second-place performance in the 3,000 meters while teammate Whitney Lund took fourth.

Cherdaria Mack took sixth in the long jump and fifth in the 100-meter dash.