PUEBLO, Colo. – Performances by Chadron State throwers, including a historic showing by freshman Trace Hanchett, highlighted the opening of the outdoor season at the two-day Dan Caprioglio Invitational meet hosted by CSU Pueblo on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Hanchett placed third among 28 contestants in the javelin at the Pueblo meet. His mark of 62.01 meters, or 203 feet, 5 ¼ inches, was the first by a Chadron State athlete of more than 200 feet since 1989.

Deron Dolfi, a native of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, holds the CSC record while Danny Moore of Rushville, Nebraska has Chadron State's best javelin throw since the implement was redesigned in 1986 so it wouldn't travel as far. Dolfi set the CSC record of 206-8 in 1986, while Moore's best throw in 1989 was just an inch shorter.

Dolfi sailed the spear at least 204-10 all four years he attended Chadron State. He was an All-American in the event three times, placing as high as third at the NAIA National Meet in 1988. With Hatchett clearing the 200-foot barrier and coming within three-and-a-half feet of Dolfi in his first collegiate meet, the Philipsburg, Kansas native will certainly have his eyes on the school record throughout the season and his career.

"Ever since he came to college, Trace has been waiting for this day, when the outdoor season began and he could throw the javelin," Chadron State Coach Jake Gruver said.   "He got his career off to a really good start."    

Hanchett led six top-10 CSC placers in throws. Another Chadron State entry, William Stemler of Sierra Vista, Ariz., finished 10^th in the javelin Friday with a throw of 168-9. Stemler, who also plays defensive end for the Eagle football team, performed well at his first track competition for CSC after also earning a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-American award earlier in the week.

The men's hammer throw drew nearly 50 entries, with two Eagles in the top 10. Chadron State senior Parker Gonser of Windsor, Colorado placed sixth at 178-5 ½, his career-best by more than eight feet, while Christopher Jennings was 10^th at 168-4.

Two CSC shotputters were eighth among more than 30 throwers in their respective events. Senior Morgan Ekwall claimed that place in the women's competition at 35-10 ½ and freshman Quade Jordan was eighth with his mark of 47-3 ½.  

In the track events Saturday, a pair of veterans led the Chadron State College track athletes Saturday against some exceptional competition.

Senior Creighton Trembly placed second in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.54. In a field of 33 entries, Trembly outran them all except Everett Delate of Colorado School of Mines, a several-time RMAC champion and the 60-meter hurdles silver medalist at last week's NCAA Division II National Indoor Championships in Indianapolis last week.

Iyengunmwena also had plenty of tough competition in both of his races. He placed seventh among the 60 contestants in the 100-meter dash in 10.62 seconds and was third among 70 speedsters in the 200 in 21.71 seconds. Both times are his career-bests.

The Eagles also placed in the 5000 meter run, with Blaine Johnson coming in sixth in the men's race and Katelyn Beshara placing 10^th  at the distance in the women's race.

Chadron State will return to the track next Friday and Saturday at the Jack Christiansen Invitational, hosted by Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

CSC's top-10 placings follow: 

Men's Results
        110 hurdles – 2, Creighton Trembly, 14.54
        100 meters – 7, Esosa Iyengunmwena, 10.62
        200 meters – 3, Esosa Iyengunmwena, 21.71
        400 hurdles – 10, Malachi Swallow, 58.71
        5000 meters – 6, Blaine Johnson, 16:50.95
        Shot Put – 8, Quade Jordan, 47-6.25
        5000 meters – 6, Blaine Johnson, 16:50.95
        Hammer throw – 6, Parker Gonser, 178-5.5; 10, Christopher Jennings, 168-4.25
        Javelin – 3, Trace Hanchett, 203-5.25; 10, William Stemler, 168-9
 
Women's Results
        5000 meters – 10, Katelyn Beshara, 20:52.31
        Shot put – 8, Morgan Ekwall, 35-10.5