Bruin distance runners turned in a number of big improvements at today's Concordia Track Invitational in Seward, held in cool and breezy conditions.

Lorena Ramirez got the Bruin women off to a good start with a 5:24.52 run in the 1500 meters, eclipsing her own 2019 school record by 0.3 seconds. Behind Ramirez, Taylor Caba ran 5:32.44, Dayana Montano-Salama came across in 6:57.72 and Diana Montano-Salama finished in 7:21.61.

On the men's side of the 1,500 meters, Desyebelew Debesh took eight seconds from the existing school record with his 4:17.13 placing him third in the field of 24 runners, the highest Bruin finish on the day. In that same race, Edrei Murillo ran a personal best 4:25.98 for 12th place and Dixon Kiptoo posted a personal best of 4:50.01.

Next up for the Bruins was the 3000-meter steeplechase where Cole Wagner finished fourth in 11:00.69. Right behind Wagner in fifth was Debesh, finishing in 11:14.96 in his first attempt over the barriers and water.

Gabe Poppen worked on his speed in the 400 meters and finished sixth in a school-record 53.66.

In the 800 meters, Taylor Caba led the Bruin women, running 2:41.94 while Aaron Newton had a breakthrough race with a 2:08.68 clocking, lowering the current Bruin all-time best.

The final event contested by the Bruins was the 5,000 meters and Lorena Ramirez capped a good day with a fifth-place finish, running 20:35.58. Chris Casart represented the Bruin men and he responded with a sixth-place run of 17:11.77.

Head Coach Craig Christians saw a number of good things on the day and was happy with the way the Bruins competed. "I was really proud of the way our athletes mixed it up. I thought we were very competitive with some good runners from some good teams. We had a number of breakthrough performances and I hope that they use that confidence to feed future success and improvement. We are just getting started."

The Bruins are back in action again next Friday, April 16, when they travel to Sioux City for the Sioux City Relays.