Colorado Classic Preseason Meet Recap
Senior Jaaziah Hurt battles for the lead in the final heat of the 400m (2/7/26)
The Angels have been anxious to get back to racing this offseason, and the Colorado Classic Preseason #1 meet provided just what they were looking for. The unusually warm weather provided the rare opportunity to race on an outdoor 400m track in early February, and they took full advantage. Of the 18 races run by East athletes on Saturday at LPS Centennial Stadium, 16 were Personal Records (PR’s). Fearlessly competing in their first ever track meet were Maren Huss (9th), Tessa Fe Morris (9th), Cal Redman (9th), Sael Charles (9th), and Ronan McMillan (10th).
Freshman Maren Huss (lane 2) runs her first ever 100m Dash (2/7/26)
Seniors Jaaziah Hurt and Jackson Llewellyn led the way for the Angels in the sprints. Hurt took 2nd in the 400m Dash with a PR of 51.93 and 9th in the 200m with 23.17 (also a PR). Llewellyn ran the two shorter sprint events and also managed to PR in both (despite being incorrectly placed in the 100m!), posting an 11.42 (7th) in the 100m and 23.20 (10th) in the 200m. In one of the highlights of the day, Sophomore Tyler Villanueva, who has dedicated himself to training for the sprints and hurdles this offseason, posted the fastest 200m for the Angels, running a 23.05 and placing 8th. Sophomore returner Kameron Jackson showcased the beautiful running form he has developed to post PR’s in both the 100m and 200m as well, running away from the rest of his heat in the 200m. Junior stalwart Brady Cooper also managed a PR in the 200m in his first race back following an injury this fall.
Sophomores Tyler Villanueva (lane 7) and Ronan McMillan (lane 3) in the 200m. (2/7/26)
In an incredible preseason feat, Senior Mary Clare Nussbaum nearly equaled her PR in the 1600m, posting a 5:28.62 (only .38sec off what she ran in her final meet last May). Freshman XC standout Morris followed suit in her first time on the Oval with eye-popping performances in both the 800m and 400m. Morris felt out the first 3/4 lap of the 800 in a conservative pace with the pack before deciding that she was ready to leave them behind and take the lead. She took control with just over a lap to go and put distance on the field, winning her heat with authority and a kick reminiscent of a runner with far more race experience, posting a time of 2:31.07, showing nearly zero signs of fatigue post-race. Ninety minutes later, Morris amazed the coaches again, running negative 200m splits in the 400m (33/30) to post a time of 1:03.53 and place 7th overall in the meet. For reference, running faster in the second half of a 400m is basically unheard of, and also an indication that Morris can go much faster in this event.
Freshman Tessa Fe Morris was all smiles on her breakout day (2/7/26)
The coaching staff left the meet on Saturday with incredible excitement about the mindset of this team, the leaders that are emerging, and the raw talent that will be developed over the coming months!
Proud Coaches Pinney, Carhart, Diarra, Padilla, Robinson, & Simons (2/7/26)
