Competing in a high-profile meet that included a number of potential Olympians and NCAA champions from all three divisions, a small group of Colorado College entries made a little noise of their own in Southern California on Saturday.

Senior Jackson Brainerd, the only Tiger at the Occidental College Invitational with a shot at advancing to nationals later this month, did not get his time down quite enough to achieve that goal. But he certainly set a mean pace for a pair of younger teammates in the 5,000 meters.

Brainerd led CC's contingent of three in the event, overcoming a lower-leg cramp during the final three laps to post a clocking of 14 minutes, 43.09 seconds, while freshmen Nick Hall and Graham Frank smashed all-time personal records. Hall completed the race in 15:19.6, more than seven seconds faster than his previous best, while Frank's clocking of 15:34.81 annihilated his former PR of 15:59.25.

"There was a huge field (of participants) here," said head coach Ted Castaneda. "This being an Olympic year, the quality was sky high. We kind of expected that, and the meet lived up to all expectations. Our guys really got after it. They never gave an inch."

Other highlights included a 10:02.70 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase by senior Michael Dougan and a 3:58.79 in the 1,500 meters by sophomore Chris Edmonds. Just a third of a second off his season-best of 3:58.44, Edmonds' effort marked the second time this spring that he has gone under 4 minutes flat.

Senior Travis Boccard ran the 200 meters in 24.18 seconds and soared 19 feet, 4 1/4 inches in the high jump, where junior Matt Schull posted an impressive leap of 21-8 1/4 despite suffering a cut near his Achilles heel area earlier in the day.

The meet spelled the end of the 2012 season for everyone except Brainerd and fellow senior Max Gerken, who did not make the trip but later this week will continue his efforts to qualify for the NCAA Division III championships in the 3K steeplechase. Both CC distance runners will get at least one more chance at the North Central College Keeler Invitational in Naperville, Ill., scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 11-12.