GUNNISON — Representing Western State College women’s track and field team, Linday Yost of Mancos placed third overall in the hepthalon at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships held in Hays, Kan., May 3-5.

The hepthalon consists of seven different events testing one’s endurance, speed, strength, and accurary in the 200- and 800-meter runs, 100 low hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put and javelin. Yost was named to the All-Conference team and will receive a letterman’s jacket awarded by Western State.

She also was a member of the 4X400 relay team which placed second with a time of 3 minutes, 56.5 seconds. She ran her split time in 58.6.

Yost helped the Mountaineers to second place in the meet. WSC coach Scott Lorek was named Coach of the Year.

Yost said her goal for next year is to make it the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II National Track and Field Championships. She came close to qualifying this year, in her first year at WSC. She said she loves competing in the heptathalon and feels good that she keeps improving her times, heights, and distances.

Yost said she is learning that it is not about being fastest or winning but "just doing the best you can do, learning to overcome setbacks and disappointments, and never giving up and focusing on your next goal."