ALLENDALE, Mich. - The IU Kokomo men's indoor track and field team competed at Grand Valley State's Big Meet on Friday and Saturday, highlighted by a strong all-around performance from Rico Ortiz across three different events.

FAST FACTS - GVSU Big Meet Friday | GVSU Big Meet Saturday

• LOCATION: Kelly Family Sports Center | Allendale, Michigan
• NAIA TOP 25 RANKINGS: IU Kokomo: N/A

THE RUNDOWN

• Senior Rico Ortiz delivered one of the strongest performances of his collegiate career over the weekend in Michigan, recording personal-best times in three separate events. He set a new school record in the 400 meters with a time of 50.38, while also moving up to third all-time in program history in the 200 meters (22.96) and fourth all-time in the 600 meters (1:23.38).
• Gabe Wedmore enjoyed another standout weekend, setting a new school record and personal best with a "B" standard throw of 17.52 meters in the weight throw, while also posting a "B" standard mark of 16.64 meters in the shot put. He currently leads the conference in both events heading into this weekend's RSC Indoor Championships.
• Brothers Seth Ireland and Isaac Ireland each recorded "B" standard marks in the shot put, with Seth posting a throw of 16.04 meters to place seventh and Isaac following closely with a 15.90-meter effort for eighth place.
• Ayden Potts also enjoyed a strong weekend in Michigan, setting personal bests to move into second all-time in program history in the mile and fifth all-time in the 600 meters.
• Drew Lovelace also posted personal bests in two events at GVSU over the weekend, moving up to third all-time in program history in the 3,000 meters and fourth all-time in the 5,000 meters.
• For full results from the GVSU Big Meet - Friday, click HERE. For full results from the GVSU Big Meet - Saturday, click HERE.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• "Rico had a huge weekend running three pr's in three different events. Drew and Ayden were impressive with their two pr's in two events.  Gabe continues on a tear with throwing events hitting a "B" standard in the weight throw.  It is crazy when you have three throwers hit B Standard in shot put and none of them are happy because they did not pr.  That is just a testament to our throws program, Coach Gaylor, and the athletes who put in the time and the hard work to lead our shot put squad to the #1 best shot put squad in the NAIA. We are gearing up for indoor conference this weekend and our goals are to score as many points as we can, get as many all-conference, and conference champions as we can." - Head Coach Josh Colvin

THE ROAD AHEAD 

• The Cougars are set to compete at the 2026 River States Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships this Friday and Saturday in Marietta, Ohio at the Dyson 

For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.