GOLDEN, Colo. – Last Saturday, April 11, the Black Hills State University men's and women's track & field teams traveled to the Colorado School of Mines for the second time in a week's span, this time competing in the Mines Kit Mayer Classic. The Green & Gold tallied an NCAA Provisional mark, a pair of event titles, six top-5 finishes, and 11 top-10 finishes. On the men's side it was Evan Smith that won the 800m run as he clocked the fifth-fastest time in the event in program history, and on the women's side it was Gretchen Adamski who earned the win in the pole vault with the second-best mark in program history and an NCAA Provisional mark.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – MEN'S TRACK & FIELD

• In his first race of the 2026 outdoor season, Evan Smith clocked the fifth-fastest 800m run time in program history, crossing the line with a winning time of 1:51.76.
• Trennan Pearson and Adam Stimes tied for fifth place in the high jump as they each cleared 1.91m (6' 3.25") on their first attempts.
• In the pole vault, Chase Maher cleared 4.52m (14' 10") on his third attempt for a fourth place finish, while Dawson Lindeen added a sixth place finish as he cleared 4.37m (14' 4") on his third attempt.
• Ryan Baker posted a mark of 44.00m (144' 4") for 13^th place in the discus.

HOW IT HAPPENED – WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD

• In the 800m run, Jillian Brennan led the way with a top-10 finish, clocking a time of 2:24.49 for tenth place, while Madison Zander crossed the finish line 16^th with a time of 2:28.55.
• Gretchen Adamski recorded the second-best mark in the pole vault in school history, clearing a career-best and NCAA Provisional height of 3.92m (12' 10.25") on her second attempt for the event title as she beat three DI athletes in the contest. Joining her in the top-5 was Lauryn Bennett, who cleared 3.47m (11' 4.5") on her first attempt. Notching an eight place finish was Erin Weibel, who cleared 3.47m (11' 4.5") on her third attempt. Rounding out the group was Hope Bryant, who finished 11^th as she cleared 3.32m (10' 10.75") on her first attempt.
• Hanah Sullivan secured a top-10 finish in the shot put, tossing an outdoor season-best mark of 12.91m (42' 4.25") for sixth place.
• Cassidy Goddard collected a top-10 finish in the discus, throwing for a career-best mark of 45.14m (148' 1") for seventh place. The mark also cracked the top-10 of the Yellow Jacket Performance List and ranks eighth all-time. Sullivan added an 11^th place finish with a mark of 38.52m (126' 4").