T-Birds Set Records at Ross Black Open

The New Mexico Junior College track and field teams competed in the Ross Black Open in Hobbs, NM April 14-15. The home meet was a small preview of what is to come when NMJC hosts the NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on campus May 18-20.

Takudzwa (Donald) Chiyangwa led the Thunderbird men with a school record in the 200m. The freshman breezed through the prelims with an NJCAA No. 1 time of 20.23. 

The time earned the freshman the NJCAA men's division USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honors for the first time in his career. Chiyangwa sits No. 4 all-time in the NJCAA for the 200m. 

Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu was slightly behind Donald in the 200m as he crossed the line in 20.28. The freshman's time is No. 3 in the NJCAA. 

German Vega met the national standard running the 10,000m in a school record 31:49.67 (NJCAA No. 5).

Alex Keter was the second national qualifier in the 10,000m finishing the race in 33:03.03 (NJCAA No. 17). David Hernandez was the final runner to make the national standard after he crossed the line in 33:22.97.       

Aymane El Haddaoui ran a personal-best 46.10 in the 400m. The freshman improved on his national qualifying time by .40 seconds and is ranked No. 5 in the NJCAA. Dyimond Walker was also an improved qualifier by .26 seconds in the 400m with a time of 47.29 (NJCAA No. 17). 

Kamar E Johnson nationally qualified in the 110mH running a 14.51 in the event. The sophomore is ranked No. 15 in the NJCAA's 110mH. Chris Korir hit the national standard in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:45.27 (NJCAA No. 8).

Aymane El Haddaoui, Takudzwa (Donald) Chiyangwa, Elijah Colbert, and Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu met the national standard in the 4x100m relay after finishing the event in 40.10 The quartet comes in at No. 4 in the NJCAA for the event.

Dhia Gaaloul nationally qualified in the triple jump with his 14.72m leap (NJCAA No. 9).

The Thunderbird men are ranked No. 2 in Week 4's USTFCCCA NJCAA Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index.

The T-Bird women were spearheaded by hurdler Calisha Taylor. Taylor broke the NMJC 400mH school record by finishing the event in 58.78. She improved her qualifying time by 1.76 seconds and maintains the No. 1 spot in the NJCAA.

The performance earned the sophomore the NJCAA women's division USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this year.        

Mickaliliah Vassell was an improved qualifier in the 400mH with her time of 1:00.16. The sophomore is currently No. 3 in the NJCAA in the event.     

Letlhogonolo Magoro improved on her national mark running a 2:10.55. The time is No. 2 in the NJCAA for the 800m. 

Lacarthea Cooper nationally qualified in the 200m with her speedy time of 23.58. The freshman's time is ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA. Ashantai Bollers improved on her national standard by .08 seconds with her 23.87 finish in the 200m (NJCAA No. 8).

Aaliyah Lindsay exceeded the national standard in the triple jump with her leap of 12.20m (NJCAA No. 3). The sophomore was able to improve on her national mark in the long jump with her jump of 6.11m (NJCAA No. 2).   

Damaris Chewon nationally qualified in the 10,000m with her time of 37:57.68. The sophomore ranks No. 1 in the NJCAA in the event. Carolyne Kimaiyo was not too far behind Chewon in the race. The freshman finished the event in 40:19.76 to mark her down as the fifth fastest runner in the NJCAA for the 10,000m.

Ese Awusa improved by .17 seconds to run an 11.67 in the 100m dash. Kishawna Wallace surpassed the national standard in the 100m finishing in 11.93.       

The Thunderbird women stay at No. 1 in Week 4's USTFCCCA NJCAA Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index.

The T-Birds make the trip to the University of New Mexico for a one-day meet at the Don Kirby Tailwind Open April 20.