Tapiwanashe Makarawu Breaks Chiyangwa’s 200m School Record

The New Mexico Junior College men's track and field team competed in the Corky Crofoot Shootout in Lubbock, Texas April 29.

The T-Bird men set three school records, improved on six national qualifying standards, and nationally qualified in another event Saturday afternoon.

Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu broke Takudzwa (Donald) Chiyangwa's school record in the 200m by .13 seconds with his time of 20.10. Makarawu is second in the NJCAA behind Western Texas' James Dadzie, who ran a world-leading time of 19.79 in the same heat in Lubbock.

Dalton Smith continues to break his own school records as he closes out his career at NMJC. Smith's 4.98m vault broke his previous outdoor school record of 4.96m. The Troup, Texas native has a firm grip on the NJCAA No. 1 spot in the event.

Chiyangwa was an improved qualifier in the 200m after crossing the line in 20.20. The finish is No. 3 in the NJCAA and is just behind his teammate Makarawu. Evans Pololet ran a 3:51.36 in the 1500m that altitude adjusted to an improved national standard. The finish leapfrogged him into the No. 4 position in the NJCAA. 

Tomas Vega set a school record in the 5000m after finishing the race in 14:47.38. The freshman is currently ranked No. 16 in the NJCAA for the event. Chris Korir nationally qualified in the 5000m on Saturday completing the race in 15:13.86.

Che Saunders finished the 110mH with an improved qualifying time of 14.22. The sophomore's time sits at No. 7 in the NJCAA.

Dhia Gaaloul improved on his national mark in the triple jump with his leap of 14.95. The jump puts him at No. 7 in the NJCAA for the event. 

The Thunderbird men hold court at No. 2 in Week 6's USTFCCCA NJCAA Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index.   

The T-Birds next meet will be at the 2023 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships here in Hobbs, NM May 18-20.