Colorado University Athletics
Friday, February 20
Boulder, Colo.
Colorado
vs
Colorado Last Chance
Pearson, Men’s DMR Rewrite Record Book on Senior Day
February 20, 2026 | Track and Field
BOULDER – Senior Day and school records made for a memorable afternoon Friday as the Buffs closed out the regular season at the Colorado Last Chance inside the CU Ford Practice Facility. The program honored its 18 graduating seniors before two all-time marks fell on the track.
Avery Pearson delivered a historic performance in the women's 800 meters, clocking an altitude-adjusted 1:59.98 (2:00.76 raw) to shatter the previous school record of 2:02.54 set by Sage Hurta in 2021. On the men's side, the distance medley relay quartet of Justine Kipkoech, Danny Tragarz, Drew Costelow and Isaiah Givens ran 9:19.00 (9:28.63 raw) to smash the program record of 9:38.14 set last season.
"It was a fantastic last chance meet for our kids," said Sean Carlson, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field. "The men's DMR ran really, really well — the first three legs were flying. The mile always gets a little tactical, but we still ran well and that should be an NCAA qualifying mark. And then Avery in the 800 — just lights out. Two-flat at altitude is really, really impressive. That sets her up well heading into the Big 12s and nationals."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The men's DMR opened the day in thrilling fashion, placing third in a loaded race featuring BYU and NAU. All three teams are expected to qualify for the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships with Friday's marks.
Newcomer Kipkoech set the tone on the 1200-meter leg, handing off first to Tragarz, who maintained the lead over 400 meters. Costelow battled hard on the 800-meter leg, narrowly surrendering the top spot to NAU before passing the baton evenly to Givens for the anchor 1600 meters. Givens fought down the homestretch against NAU's Colin Sahlman and BYU's Carter Cutting to secure third. Colorado's converted mark currently sits at approximately NCAA No. 4 this season, though national standings may shift as more DMRs are contested this weekend.
Pearson's breakthrough further vaulted her into the national spotlight. Just weeks after clocking 2:03.21 at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational, she returned with a stunning improvement. Her converted 1:59.98 ranks NCAA No. 7 this season and No. 3 all-time at altitude, while her performance moves her to No. 16 on the NCAA all-time, all-conditions list. With Friday's mark, Pearson firmly positions herself among the top contenders entering championship season.
The Buffs saw additional victories on the track. Ernest Campbell captured the men's 60-meter dash in 6.80, while Kole Mathinson won the men's mile in ease with a time of 4:07.85. On the women's side, freshman Linda Weigang finished runner-up in the mile, clocking a PR of 5:05.92.
With momentum on both the men's and women's sides, the Buffs now turn their attention to the postseason, carrying record-breaking performances and national-caliber marks into championship season.
UP NEXT: The Buffs travel to Lubbock, Texas, to compete at the Big 12 Indoor Championships on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, hosted by Texas Tech.
For more information on the Colorado track and field team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsTrack.
Avery Pearson delivered a historic performance in the women's 800 meters, clocking an altitude-adjusted 1:59.98 (2:00.76 raw) to shatter the previous school record of 2:02.54 set by Sage Hurta in 2021. On the men's side, the distance medley relay quartet of Justine Kipkoech, Danny Tragarz, Drew Costelow and Isaiah Givens ran 9:19.00 (9:28.63 raw) to smash the program record of 9:38.14 set last season.
"It was a fantastic last chance meet for our kids," said Sean Carlson, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field. "The men's DMR ran really, really well — the first three legs were flying. The mile always gets a little tactical, but we still ran well and that should be an NCAA qualifying mark. And then Avery in the 800 — just lights out. Two-flat at altitude is really, really impressive. That sets her up well heading into the Big 12s and nationals."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The men's DMR opened the day in thrilling fashion, placing third in a loaded race featuring BYU and NAU. All three teams are expected to qualify for the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships with Friday's marks.
Newcomer Kipkoech set the tone on the 1200-meter leg, handing off first to Tragarz, who maintained the lead over 400 meters. Costelow battled hard on the 800-meter leg, narrowly surrendering the top spot to NAU before passing the baton evenly to Givens for the anchor 1600 meters. Givens fought down the homestretch against NAU's Colin Sahlman and BYU's Carter Cutting to secure third. Colorado's converted mark currently sits at approximately NCAA No. 4 this season, though national standings may shift as more DMRs are contested this weekend.
Pearson's breakthrough further vaulted her into the national spotlight. Just weeks after clocking 2:03.21 at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational, she returned with a stunning improvement. Her converted 1:59.98 ranks NCAA No. 7 this season and No. 3 all-time at altitude, while her performance moves her to No. 16 on the NCAA all-time, all-conditions list. With Friday's mark, Pearson firmly positions herself among the top contenders entering championship season.
The Buffs saw additional victories on the track. Ernest Campbell captured the men's 60-meter dash in 6.80, while Kole Mathinson won the men's mile in ease with a time of 4:07.85. On the women's side, freshman Linda Weigang finished runner-up in the mile, clocking a PR of 5:05.92.
With momentum on both the men's and women's sides, the Buffs now turn their attention to the postseason, carrying record-breaking performances and national-caliber marks into championship season.
UP NEXT: The Buffs travel to Lubbock, Texas, to compete at the Big 12 Indoor Championships on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, hosted by Texas Tech.
For more information on the Colorado track and field team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsTrack.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and FieldColorado T&F/XC: 2016 HOF Sara Gorton Slattery
Monday, August 12
Bailey Hertenstein @baileyh_ Wins the Pac-12 5k Championship @cubuffstrack #gobuffs
Monday, May 13
Pac-12 TRACK Championships - Wrap Up
Monday, May 13
@cubufffstrack First Crack at NEW Potts Field #gobuffs
Wednesday, April 10