GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University Director of Cross County/Track & Field
Travis Floeck has announced the addition of three pole vaulters, two throwers and a multi-event and sport athlete to round out the Mavs' 2025 track & field recruiting class, which has been introduced in event groups over the past few weeks.
"This is a collection of student-athletes that have the intangibles that we are looking for and will be significant additions to our culture," Floeck said.
The latest group includes a pair of multiple-time state champion throwers from Colorado's Western Slope in
Jackson Bevan of Mesa and Plateau Valley High School and
Brilee Jensen, who hails from Rifle and competed at Coal Ridge High School.
The pole vault contingent also includes a pair of 2-time state champions and a local standout in 2-time state champion
Cooper Van Maurer, who recently graduated from Grand Junction's Central High School. He will be joined on the men's side by fellow freshman
Grant Pekurney of North Richland Hills, Texas, a 3-time area qualifier for Birdville High School.
Meanwhile, the Maverick women will welcome Buena Vista (Colo.) High School product
Taiya Carl, a 2-time state champion and 3-event school record holder for the Demons.
Additionally, the Mavs will welcome in multi-event and multi-sport standout
Asa Keim of Grain Valley, Missouri. Keim will also dive for the CMU's swimming & diving team and set 11 Grain Valley High School records while winning conference titles and qualifying for the state championships in both sports.
"Brilee and Jackson will bolster our talented throws group. Asa will give us scoring potential in the multi, an area we lacked last year. Taiya, Cooper, and Grant will be our pole vault crew this year and beyond, an event that will continue to be important to us," Floeck said.
"I am excited to watch all of them grow and excel here at Colorado Mesa."
The list of new Maverick student-athletes includes:
Men
Women
Full biographies on each new Mavericks can be found below.
Jackson Bevan (Fr., 6-5, Throws, Mesa, Colo./Plateau Valley HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Plateau Valley High School… Coached by his father Eric… Won a second straight state title in the discus throw as a senior for the Cowboys… Set a PR and state record of 163-4 during the season, which featured nine wins and a second place finish in ten meets… Also placed second at the state meet in the shot put… Set a PR of 47-7.5 to take second at the Western Slope League meet… Won the state and league titles in the discus throw as a junior in 2024… Took second in the league and fourth at the state meet in the shot put that season… Was the WSL runner-up and a state qualifier as a sophomore in 2023.
Personal: Is majoring in business management… Son of Eric and Susie Bevan… Brother Heston is playing football for CMU… Also has a younger sister named Macy… Enjoys playing sports, working out and training as well as outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and ranching.
Why I Chose CMU: " "It is close enough to home but also gives me the chance to continue my athletic career at the next level."
Taiya Carl (5-3, Fr., Pole Vault/Sprints; Buena Vista, Colo./Buena Vista HS)
Prep: Is a 2025 graduate of Buena Vista High School… Was a 3-time 2A state champion in the pole vault… Also placed second in the 100 meters and long jump as a senior in 2025.. Also qualified for state in the 200… Holds the Demons' school record in the 100 meters (12.45), long jump (17-3.5) and pole vault (12-0)… Coached by Quincey Troudt and Michael Morgan… Was voted as the MileSplit Colorado Performer of the Week for Apr. 22-27, 2024 after winning at the High Country Pole Vault meet… Earned BVHS Academic Letters, Academic Lamps and 5 Star awards… Received the Optimist Club Youth Appreciation Award in 2024… Received the BVHS Athletics Determination Award given to just one male and one female athlete.
Personal: Is majoring in chemistry… Loved the science classes in high school and wants to see what will take her in the future… Daughter of Katie and Darin Carl… Has one younger sibling— Riley… Enjoys hanging out with friends, paddle boarding, snowboarding and exploring the outdoors.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because I love the campus and its location. It is a place I visit often and has lots of outdoor activities. It is a nice distance from home and has the opportunities I am looking for in a college."
Brilee Jensen (Fr., Throws, Rifle, Colo./Coal Ridge HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Coal Ridge High School… Coached by Ben Kirk and Darren Chacon… Won the 3A state title in the shot put, capping an undefeated senior season… The title was the second of her career (2023)… Recorded a throw of 40-3.25 at the state meet after setting a PR of 40-9.75 a week earlier… Also took third at the state meet in the discus throw with a PR mark of 128-6… Successfully defended the Western Slope League title in both events… Won three straight league titles in the shot put… Placed second at the state meet in the shot put and fourth in the discus throw as a junior in 2024… Won the WSL crowns in both events… Finished first in the shot put and fifth in the discus at the 2023 state championships at the end of her junior season… Was fifth in the shot put and eighth in the discus as a freshman in 2022 as a 4-time state qualifier in both events.
Personal: Is majoring in nursing… Parents are Erik Jensen, Tara Cheney, Dustin Cheney and Carrie Johnson… Has six siblings… Sister Mikayla Cheney runs cross country and track at Army West Point… Loves to be outside, enjoying hiking, fishing along the river or hanging out at the lake… Also loves to do crafts, puzzles and card games while inside and says she just "enjoys keeping busy."
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because it not only has an outstanding nursing program but also an excellent track team, both of which I am very passionate about. I am very excited to see what CMU can help me achieve in both of those areas. The location is also close to my hometown and my friends and family but offers a new, welcoming and supportive opportunity that I am excited to become a part of."
Asa Keim (6-2, Fr., Multis, Grain Valley, Mo./Grain Valley HS)
Is also a diver on the Mavs' swimming & diving team…
Prep: 2025 graduate of Grain Valley High School… Set 11 school records throughout his multi-sport career with the Eagles… Coached by Erik Stone in track and field and Shelly Pollock in diving… Finished sixth at the 2025 Class 5 State Championships in the pole vault after winning the Section 4 title with a PR mark of 4.64 meters… Won the Kansas City Suburban White Conference title in that event and took second in both the pole vault and javelin at the District 7 meet… Won the conference pole vault title as a junior in 2024… Place second at the conference and district and third at state in diving as a senior… Won the conference title and placed tenth at the state meet as a junior… Was named to the Academic All-State squad in every year of his prep career.
Personal: Is majoring in outdoor recreation education… Aspires for a career as a stuntman or park ranger… Son of Josh and Sarah Keim… Has five siblings— Gabbi, Kessi, Tirzah, Canyon and Lisbon… Lists reading and mountain unicycling as his favorite hobbies.
Why I Chose CMU: "I love Colorado and the outdoor culture embedded the school. Mesa had the type of majors I was looking for and great sports programs."
Grant Pekurney (5-7, Fr., Pole Vault, North Richland Hills, Texas/Birdville HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Birdville High School… Was a 3-time area qualifier in the pole vault for the Hawks… Coached by Nick Labus… Was also a regionals final qualifier in the 4x400-meter relay as a senior… Set a PR of 14-6 as a senior before taking fourth at the UIL 5A – District 6 meet in 2025… Took second at the District 7 meet before finishing in the Area Championships in 2024 with marks of 13-6.
Personal: Is majoring in outdoor recreation and industry… Son of Kyle and Adrien Pekurney… Has an older brother— Greg… Likes to fish, hike, play pickleball, golf and working out… Is unsure of a career aspiration but wants to do something where he is outdoors a lot and get to help people.
Why I Chose CMU: "I love CMU's environment both on campus and in Grand Junction. I love all the different environments in every direction and all the outdoor activities they offer."
Cooper Van Maurer (5-11, Fr., Pole Vault, Grand Junction, Colo./Central HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Central High School… Was a 2-time state champion and 3-time Southwestern League Champion pole vaulter for the Ted Leblow coached Warriors… Set a PR mark of 16-4.75 to win the 2025 state title… Was a 4-year league placer… Also earned two academic all-state honors… Was a 3-time academic letterwinner and a STEM letterwinner… Was a CMU tech scholar.
Personal: Has not declared a major… Son of Tammy and Mark Van Maurer… Has two siblings— Hylan and Aurora… Enjoys rock climbing, backpacking and mountain biking.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because it's in the same town as I grew up and it's an easy transition into college life."
