Adams State relies on depth in four distance events, including multiple titles and 3,000-meter record from Cotter, to earn one-point victory against Minnesota State; Tinch triumphs twice, with Ferguson, Kiner and 4×400 crowns also leading Pittsburg State to most lopsided championship win since 1997
By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor
Adams State knew it was going to have to play the long game in order to win the women’s team title with only its distance runners at the NCAA Division 2 Indoor Championships, but the Grizzlies had to endure an additional wait until after the 4×400-meter relay to eventually secure the championship.
Pittsburg State simply ran away from the rest of the field from the outset at the Virginia Beach Sports Center to produce the most dominant men’s victory in more than 25 years.
INTERVIEWS | RESULTS | PHOTOS by Phil Bond
Adams State scored in only four events, but individual titles in the mile and 3,000 meters from Irish ace Stephanie Cotter, along with a second-place distance medley relay finish and a pair of runner-up efforts by Brianna Robles led the Grizzlies to their fifth championship, including their first since 2019.
But it wasn’t until Minnesota State finished ninth and didn’t score in the 4×400 relay that Adams State could finally celebrate with 52 points, adding a championship to wins in 2008, 2014 and 2017. The Grizzlies also won their NCAA record 20th Division 2 women’s cross country title in December in Washington.
Adams State’s cross country and track and field programs have now combined for 41 Division 2 titles and 59 overall, including 18 NAIA crowns from 1971-91, before the Grizzlies moved to their new division in 1992. The lone national championship Adams State has not won yet is women’s outdoor track and field.
The Mavericks scored in eight other events to accumulate 51 points, with West Texas A&M taking third with 46 points and Azusa Pacific finishing fourth with 37 points.
Pittsburg State capped their 86-point performance with a 4×400 victory, which was supported by wins from Cordell Tinch in the 60-meter hurdles and high jump, Henry Kiner prevailing in the long jump and Treyvon Ferguson grabbing the triple jump title.
The Gorillas captured their first men’s crown since 2018 and produced the biggest margin of victory since Abilene Christian won with 132 points in 1997, with Adams State placing second with 42 points, Grand Valley State finishing third with 29 points and Academy of Art, Missouri…
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