T-Bird Men's T&F Qualifies 4 for Nationals

The T-Bird men's track & field team reached four new national qualifying standards and added one improved qualifier at the New Mexico Open in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday, Jan. 27.

Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu nationally qualified in the 60m with a time of 6.66. The 2023 60m indoor national champion is ranked No. 5 in junior college for the event. 

Alex Keter met the national standard in the 400m with a finish of 1:53.51. Cyprien Bille slipped in to meet the national qualifying standard in the 400m with a time of 1:57.50.

Khybah Dawson nationally qualified in the long jump with a leap of 7.47m. Dawson is looking to place at indoor nationals for the first time after he suffered an injury in last year's competition. 

Jumper Johnathon Rodgers improved on his national qualifying mark in the triple jump with a leap of 15.18m. The freshman bested his previous mark of 14.88 and is No. 4 in the NJCAA for the event. 

The Thunderbirds next meet will be in College Station, Texas at the Charlie Thomas Invitational inside Fasken Indoor on Friday, Feb. 2.