The ISU track program took a giant leap forward Friday and Saturday.

Both the men’s and women’s track teams looked very impressive against a competitive field at the ISU Open, garnering several victories and top-three finishes while also setting a school record.

Junior college transfer James Galvan stole the show with a record-breaking performance in the 800-meter run. Galvan’s time of 1 minute, 48.36 seconds was a personal best, breaking the previous school record of 1:48.46, set in 1994 by Joseph Chepsiror.

“I don’t know what to say – I was so nervous,” Galvan said in a press release. “I went out, and I heard them say ’50 seconds’ after the first quarter. I said ‘Oh no, I have gone out way too fast.’ I guess my nervousness just took over.”

The time was good enough to provisionally qualify Galvan for the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Galvan was not the only male performer to have a good day. Senior Kiel Uhl and sophomore Hillary Bor finished first and second, respectively, for the men in the 3000m run. Uhl ran past the finish line in 8 minutes, 17.39 seconds while Bor followed at 8:18.03. The open was their first meet in the young season.

The women were equally impressive, lead by sophomore LaShawn Wright. Wright had a great weekend, winning both the 200m dash and the 60m dash. Wright won the shootout in the 60m dash on Saturday with a photo-finish victory in 7.61 seconds. Wright won the 200m dash on Friday with a time of 24.49.

Senior Lisa Koll made her season debut in All-American fashion. Koll provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 3000m run. Koll’s time of 9 minutes, 27.69 seconds was good enough to earn her a victory.

“Originally, I was shooting for 9:20 because that time will usually get you into nationals,” Koll said in a press release. ” I am a little disappointed that I couldn’t do that, but I can’t be too disappointed because I set a personal record. I felt very comfortable with my race today.”

Another newcomer made a splash in a big way. Freshman Brittany Machacek dominated the field in the 400m run. Machacek won by more than half a second, with a time of 56.01 seconds.