RENO, Nev. – Azusa Pacific is back in Reno for the Wolf Pack Classic and Combined Event, just two meets left in the indoor season. This time, their multi-event athletes took center stage.
In the men’s heptathlon, four Cougars competed. After day one, they placed between sixth and tenth out of 17 participants. Mark Burdin stood out, leading with an impressive shot put of 47′ ¼”, earning 749 points and totaling 2,762 points for the day. Close behind in seventh was Hayden McKee, who jumped 6’3 ½” in the high jump, finishing day one strong.
Day two saw Burdin shine again with a time of 8.87 in the 60-meter hurdles, moving him into a tie for fourth. McKee was right on his heels with an 8.88. Burdin then cleared 14′ 9″ in the pole vault, taking second in that event, while teammate Finn Coene impressed with a vault of 14′ 1 ¼”, placing third. Burdin was just 62 points off the lead heading into the final event. Ultimately, the Cougars finished closely, landing in fifth to eighth place.
On the women’s side, Emma Hein was their sole competitor in the pentathlon. She finished 7th out of 16 with 3,634 points, climbing the ranks thanks to her third-place finishes in both the shot put (40′ 4″) and the 800 meters (2:21.95).
Next up for the Cougars is the Battle Born Classic, the final indoor meet before the national championships, taking place on the 13th and 14th.
This competition highlights the growth and determination of Azusa Pacific’s athletes as they prepare for the national stage. According to a recent NCAA report, participation in track and field events has surged, reflecting a growing interest in multi-event competitions across colleges. As athletes like Burdin and Hein continue to excel, their performances inspire younger athletes looking to make their mark.
In conversations on social media, fans have been rallying around their achievements, sharing updates and celebrating their milestones. This community support adds an exciting element to their journey, making each meet a shared experience.
