SPOKANE, Wash.  - Individual and team growth were the biggest takeaways from UC Riverside's time at the MPSF Championships this weekend. 

While the Highlanders saw fallen records and podium finishes as immediate rewards, the process and its consequential results all led up to what promises to be an exciting outdoor season. 

"We came here to get valuable experience for the outdoor season and the Big West championships. The most important aspect of the indoor season is the improvement we made in competitive readiness," Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Nate Browne said. "Our men's team performed within a point or two of what we thought they would, and I'm proud of how our women competed. Getting school records in the process was outstanding. Many of our younger student-athletes got a chance to step up and score for the first time as well."

UC Riverside had a field day on day one in the 5000m. Collette Lowengrub shattered her own record with a 16:28.56 and earned a podium finish in the process, while Norma Alvarez and Lance Denhalter cracked UCR's women's and men's top 10 lists with a 17:36.04 and 14:40.79, respectively. 

Raykiyat Olujoku broke yet another record in her young UCR career, this time clocking in at 24.19 in the 200m while just missing out on a podium finish. Additional records to fall included Saniyah Starks' 55.55 in the 400m and Jacoby Madise's 6.80 in the 60m. Starks was one of several Highlanders to earn a podium finish in eastern Washington, as well as Owen Pennington with a 6-06 in the high jump. 

Also making his way to the podium was Martin Billings II, who continued to crush it in the 60mH with an 8.10a, good for second. 

When it was all said and done, UC Riverside landed in the middle of the pack on the women's side with 44 points while garnering 77 on the men's side. 

With the indoor season wrapped up, the Highlanders now turn their attention to the RCC Invitational on Friday, March 3 at Riverside City College.