GOLDEN, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs senior runner Carson Aberle took the first step to another national championship appearance with a provisional qualifying mark in the 800-meter run today at the Colorado School of Mines Twilight Open at Steinhauer Fieldhouse. He finished fifth overall in a strong field with a time of 1 minute, 55.85 seconds.

Aberle's time will adjust to 1:52.51, a mark that unofficially ranks fourth in the RMAC and sixth in Division II. Teammate Kyle McCloskey came within a quarter second of also provisionally qualifying with his unadjusted time of 1:57.23, and his adjusted time of 1:53.85 will put him in sixth in the conference.

David Kimaiyo placed fourth in the 3,000-meter run in his first collegiate meet with 8:52.23 and has the third-fastest time in the RMAC. Mitch Klomp won his heat of the 3K and finished No. 10 with 9:09.37 and is eighth in the league.

UCCS will return to Golden next weekend for the Colorado Mines Division II Invitational Jan. 30-31.