(Pocatello, Idaho - Feb. 15, 2025) - Utah Tech track & field broke three program records and tallied 11 top-eight finishes on the final day of the Idaho State-hosted Mountain State Games on Saturday inside the ICCU Dome. Head coach Derrick Atkins felt like his team embodied their motto of "Process Over Outcome" in their last meet before the WAC Indoor Championships.

"It was a really strong meet for our team," Atkins said. "I'm proud of how they stepped up, especially on the second day, and improved their performances. Setting three school records and having Whitney Christiansen and Rashawnna Gibson earn MVP honors shows the progress we're making as a program."  

Senior Rashawnna Gibson reclaimed the program record in the 200 meters, posting a time of 24.92 to finish third in the event final. Gibson topped sophomore teammate Whitney Christiansen's record of 25.12 set during preliminaries on Friday.

Christiansen also broke a program record on Saturday, clocking in at 56.17 in the 400 meters for a second-place finish. Christiansen and Gibson were both named senior MVPs at the meet.

Junior Megan Jenkins and freshman Lily Sampson also tabbed top-eight marks in the 400 meters, finishing seventh with a time of 58.06 and eighth with a time of 58.07, respectively. 

The Trailblazers set their third program record of the day in the 4x400-meter relay, taking third with a time of 3:50.08. Christiansen, Sampson, Jenkins and freshman Illenia DeHart ran the relay.

Junior Brittany Kuhn set a personal record to take second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.81. Jenkins followed in third place, clocking in at 8.88.

Gibson placed third in the 60 meters with a time of 7.67 and freshman Adaorah Okafor finished eighth with a time of 7.80.

In the high jump, senior Kylie Bishop took sixth with a mark of 1.61 meters (5-3.25) and junior Lainee Leavitt finished eighth with a mark of 1.56 meters (5-1.25). 

Top Eight Finishes

• 60 Meters 
  • 3. Rashawnna Gibson, 7.67
  • 8. Adaorah Okafor, 7.80
• 200 Meters 
  • 3. Rashawnna Gibson, 24.92 - PROGRAM RECORD, SR MVP
• 400 Meters 
  • 2. Whitney Christiansen, 56.17 - PROGRAM RECORD, SR MVP
  • 7. Megan Jenkins, 58.06
  • 8. Lily Sampson, 58.07
• 60-Meter Hurdles 
  • 2. Brittany Kuhn, 8.81
  • 3. Megan Jenkins, 8.88
• 4x400-Meter Relay
  • 3. Utah Tech C (Whitney Christiansen, Lily Sampson, Megan Jenkins, Illenia DeHart), 3:50.08 - PROGRAM RECORD
• High Jump
  • 6. Kylie Bishop, 1.61 meters (5-3.25)
  • 8. Lainee Leavitt, 1.56 meters (5-1.25)

Up Next
The Trailblazers will head to the Pacific Northwest for the 2025 WAC Indoor Track & Field Championships at The Podium, on Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1, in Spokane, Washington.