Knight Dashes to NJCAA No. 1 in the 100m

The NMJC women's track and field team had seven new national qualifiers and four improved qualifiers in Canyon, Texas at the Jo Meaker Classic and Multi. 

Kamaria Knight ran a personal-best time of 11.51 in the 100m at West Texas A&M. Knight improved on her previous qualifying standard by .12 seconds. The 100m time is tied with Chaniqua Tonge of Fort Scott CC for No. 1 in the NJCAA. Knight also ran a 23.65 in the 200m, which would've ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA if the time was wind legal.

Nandy Kihuyu improved by .37 seconds on her previous national standard in the 200m with a time of 23.95. The freshman sprinter comes in at No. 11 in the NJCAA for the event.

Dejona Simpson sits atop the 400m standings with her 53.93 finish in Canyon. Lacarthea Cooper had a great performance in the race as well with a 53.99. Cooper's time from the spring indoor season is tied with Simpson at No. 1 in the NJCAA for the event. 

Jody Ann Mitchell nationally qualified in the 600m recording a 2:16.57 finish in the race. Jayne Elvin was an improved qualifier in the 1500m by 7.53 seconds as she crossed the line in 4:49.83.

Carolyne Kimaiyo nationally qualified in the 10,000m with a finish of 40:47.91. Kimaiyo is ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA for the event.  

On the field side, Kavel Ritchie recorded a 6.13m long jump that moved her to the No. 2 spot overall in the NJCAA for the event and marked the best outdoor long jump of the season for the NJCAA.   

Achol Maywin had a personal-best leap of 1.73m in the high jump. The jump ranks No. 3 in the NJCAA for the event and is .01m higher than her previous-best mark set at the Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational on Jan. 20.   

Daniel Hinds earned national qualifying distinction in the high jump after clearing 1.63m. Yosiris Cordoba was the final national qualifier this week with her throw of 13.02 in the shot put. The throw is No. 12 in the NJCAA for the event and is a career-best performance in the shot. 

The T-Birds are ranked No. 1 in Week 3's NJCAA DI Women's Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index.

The Thunderbirds next meet will be the John Jacobs Invitational in Norman, Okla., April 12-13.