Chiyangwa, Smith Lead NJCAA in Respective Events

The No. 2 ranked New Mexico Junior College men's track and field team competed at the Jarvis Scott Open in Lubbock, Texas Feb. 10-11.

Takudzwa (Donald) Chiyangwa was the star of the meet for the T-Birds with his 46.23 400m school record breaking run. The freshman sprinter ran the fifth fastest time in NJCAA history on Friday night. He is now No. 1 overall in the NJCAA 400m standings.

Sophomore pole vaulter Dalton Smith improved on his national standard by 7 ½ inches with a vault of 16 '1 ¼". The vault is No. 1 in the NJCAA and was a Thunderbird school record.  

"The Pole vault record and 400m record were the most impressive performances this weekend," head track and field coach Keith Blackwill said. "Dalton had a great day in the pole vault, Donald ran a very easy 400m which was also a school record.  Both of those marks are also nation leading."

Sophomore Evans Pololet improved on his national standard in the 800m by .38 to run a 1:52.02. The Kenyan broke the school record in the 800m and is No. 13 in the NJCAA this year in the race.

Freshman Tomas Vega set another NMJC school record with his national qualifying time of 14:54.96 in the 5000m (NJCAA No. 7). German Vega was right on his heels in pursuit, finishing the 5000m with a national standard of 14:56.16 (NJCAA No. 8).

Freshman Aymane El Haddaoui improved on his 400m national mark by .02 to run 47.39. The Moroccan native is No. 9 in the NJCAA 400m race.

Dyimond Walker improved his national mark in the 600y by .50 with a time of 1:11.02. The freshman is No. 14 in the NJCAA 600m after the yard to meter conversion.  

Sophomore Kamar E Johnson hit the national qualifying mark in the 60mH with a dash of 8.23 (NJCAA No. 23). Triple jumper Dhia Gaaloul improved on his national standard jump by five inches with a 47'5 ¾ leap (NJCAA No. 12).

Kimarlie Stewart nationally qualified in the 60m with a time of 6.82 (NJCAA No. 26)

The Thunderbird men maintained the No. 2 spot in Week 4's USTFCCCA NJCAA Men's Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index.

The T-Birds will compete next in the Matador Qualifier in Lubbock, Texas Feb. 17.