BOULDER, Colo. - The South Dakota School of Mines men's and women's track teams were able to brave the elements this past weekend and began the outdoor track season at the CU Invite in Boulder, Colo. The Hardrockers faired pretty well, earning two event titles and posted a number of personal best marks in other races.

Hardrocker senior Chandler Caldwell transitioned well from his indoor performances in the pole vault. The NAIA indoor All American won the event on Saturday after clearing 15-feet, 7-inches. That height has already automatically qualified him for the NAIA National Outdoor Meet on May 12-14 in St. Louis.

Mines' other indoor national qualifier also impressed. Senior Tyler Flattum won the 110-meter high hurdles race. Flattum finished the finals with a mark of 15.02 seconds for a personal best time and provisionally qualified for the NAIA meet as well.

Flattum also competed in the 100-meter dash, in which he earned sixth place with a time of 11.32.

The Hardrockers were well represented in other events as well.

- Junior Matt Deardoff finished fourth in the shot put after a throw of 46-3.25.

- Sophomore Mark Wager raced to a seventh-place finish in the 200 (22.58 and then grabbed 12th in the 400 (50.26).

- Junior Marc Baue earned eighth in the javelin after a personal best throw of 142-11. Freshman Lucas Fried tried his hand at the 400 hurdles where he took ninth place with a time of 63.92.

- Freshman Kendra Crisman earned eighth place in the women's 800 run, clocking a time of 2:37.57.

The Hardrockers will host the Bauer Invitational track meet Saturday at O'Harra Stadium.