RAPID CITY, S.D. – Mother Nature is doing her best to slow the progress of the South Dakota School of Mines men's and women's track and field teams this spring, but despite her best efforts the Hardrockers continue to  find venues to compete at and progress through the outdoor season.

The 'Rockers participated in Boulder, Colo., at the University of Colorado Invitational on Saturday. The meet was originally scheduled as a two-day event, but due to weather was abbreviated to a one-day event.

SD Mines had a number of quality finishes at the meet as the team recorded 15 personal-best records and four Hardrocker all-time Top 10 performances.

The Lady Hardrockers were well represented during the women's javelin throw as sophomore Kayla Gagen and junior Madison Larsen finished fifth and sixth respectively. Gagen registered a throw of 119-feet-8-inches and Larsen posted a mark of 118-4.

SD Mines' Cody Allen continues to impress in his first college season. The freshman came through with a seventh-place finish during the men's shot put with a distance of 47-4.5.

The Hardrocker men's sprinters had their best-ever marks (PR's) during the 200-meter dash and just missed out on placing. Senior Kevin Thompson clocked a 22.42, freshman Jerempy Gonzales had a time of 22.55 and sophomore Kevin Ptak posted a 22.65 during the event.  

Next, up, the Hardrockers were originally going to host the Bauer Invitational at O'Harra Stadium in Rapid City on Saturday,  but Mother Nature has decided not to cooperate so SD Mines will travel to Golden, Colo., for the Kit Mayer Invitational Friday and Saturday.