Kachouri Ranks No. 1 in 800m, T-Bird (W-T&F) Qualifies 6 at MLK Invite

The T-Bird women's track and field team competed Jan. 24-25 at the MLK Invite in Albuquerque, NM.

The women finished Saturday with six new national qualifying standards and three improved qualifiers at the meet hosted by the University of New Mexico.

Freshman Amal Kachouri was the top performer for NMJC this weekend. The Tunisian ran an improved qualifying time of 2:11.14 in the 800m. The improved qualifying time converts due to altitude and moves her into the No. 1 spot in the NJCAA for the event. Kachouri nationally qualified in the 600m as well with a time of 1:36.02. The finish is No. 4 in the NJCAA.

Jody Ann Mitchell had another productive week on the track. The Jamaican ran a 1:34.53 in the 600m. The time reached the national standard and ranks No. 3 in the NJCAA for the event. Mitchell competed in the 800m alongside her teammate Kachouri where she finished in 2:14.40 to improve on her qualifying time (NJCAA No. 4).  

Sophomore Emilly Silva was the final runner to meet the national standard this week in the 800m. The Vincennes transfer ran a 2:17.24 to place herself No. 6 in the NJCAA for the event.  

Jumper Tiana Petrova competed in her first event in a Thunderbird uniform in Albuquerque. The freshman cleared 1.65m in the high jump to meet the national mark in the event. The Cannes, France native is now No. 4 in JUCO for the high jump. 

Sophomore Francesca Alvarado recorded a 5:16.54 finish in the mile. The national standard time has her sitting No. 7 in the NJCAA for the mile.

Tuwana McLean punched her ticket to nationals in the 200m with her time of 24.82. The finish is No. 9 in JUCO.   

Sophomore Ysanne Peart was an improved qualifier in the 600m clocking in a time of 1:38.35. Peart ranks No. 10 in the NJCAA for the event. 

The Thunderbirds also had the opportunity to run in the 300m at the UNM meet. The 300m race was held at the indoor championships previously but is now run in a limited capacity at select meets.

Nandy Kihuyu recorded a time of 38.52 in the 300m. Peart was the only other T-Bird participant in the event and ran a 41.32. 

The first rankings of the indoor season were released on Tuesday, Jan. 28. NMJC is currently the No. 1 team in the NJCAA according to the USTFCCCA Track & Field Women's Rating Index. 

NMJC will head to the Stan Scott & Multi Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 in Lubbock, Texas at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center.