RINDGE, N.H. (July 29, 2021) -- A pair of Franklin Pierce University track & field athletes -- and an alum as well -- have spent their summer conquering far-off lands, or at least finding success at the national level in their native countries. Rising sophomore Ryan Outerbridge (Paget, Bermuda), rising senior Paola Brena (Queretaro, Mexico) and Dage Minors '19 have all earned podium places at the national level this summer.

First up, Bermuda, where the Fates carried a pair of Ravens to a trio of national titles. Competing in Hamilton, Bermuda -- named for the 48^th governor of the territory, who had previously spent three months as a prisoner-of-war during the American Revolution -- Outerbridge laid claim to the U20 national title in the 5000 meters, with a run of 16:05.75. The time was also good enough to earn Outerbridge a bronze medal at the senior level as well.

The third-place finish put Outerbridge two spots behind Minors, who took home the senior national title in the 5000. For good measure, Minors went ahead and added a national crown in the 800 meters as well, an event in which he was a six-time All-American at Franklin Pierce.

Meanwhile, in Mexico City -- which is not named after any British governors, but is nicknamed "The City of Palaces" -- Brena was doing what she does best: jumping over things more than five feet off the ground. The 2019-20 indoor All-American got up and over the bar at 1.68 meters (5.5 feet) to collect the bronze medal at Mexico's U23 national championship meet. It was Brena's debut at the U23 level in her native country.