The South Plains College men’s and women’s track and field teams wrapped up their final indoor meet before nationals Friday, combining for six event titles at the Texas Tech Matador Qualifier at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center.
SPC will be off next week before heading to Topeka, Kansas for the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships March 3-4.
“You go into your final regular season meet just wanting to come out healthy and possibly get a few extra qualifiers,” South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. “I thought our women’s throwers did an outstanding job, and Kuda did a great job in the high jump. He’s very consistent at putting up big bars and chasing record marks every time he steps out there.”
Hossam Hatib kicked off the afternoon with a first place finish in the men’s 400 meters, posting a 46.68. Evaldo Whitehorne turned in a third place finish for South Plains in the 400, clocking a 47.70. The Texans would then go 1-2-3 in the 600-yard run, as Jeremy Bembridge was first in 1:11.12, while Caio Almeida was second in 1:11.31, and Trayquan Francis was third in 1:12.11.
In the men’s 800 meters, Mehmet Celik placed first in 1:48.62, while Kimar Farquharson took first in the men’s 1000 meters, turning in a time of 2:24.96. In the men’s high jump, reining indoor national champion Kudakwashe Chadenga placed first, getting over the bar at 7' 4.25'. In the men’s shot put, Donroy Brown placed second with a throw of 54' 7.5'. Justin Guy and Dishaun Lamb went 2-3 in the men’s 60 hurdles, as Guy posted a 7.86, and Lamb went 7.97.
“From this point forward, it’s all about winning,” Vance said. It’s no longer about qualifying marks and personal records, its about stepping out on the track and beating the person next to you. Both groups competed well today, and I think we are ready to go for nationals.”
On the women’s side, freshman Lilliana Guerrero turned in a fourth place finish in the 800 meters, crossing the line in 2:14.31. Ashyiria Savage posted a fourth place finish in the women’s 60 hurdles, clocking an 8.59.
In the women’s weight throw, Ronelle Plaza placed fourth with a throw of 53' 8.25', while Kimola Hines was eighth with a mark of 50' 10.25'. Plaza followed up with a seventh place finish in the women’s shot put with a throw of 41' 11.5'. In the women’s 60 meters, freshman Breanna Clarke placed seventh in 7.71.
The Lady Texans closed out the meet by winning the women’s 4x400 relay as Safhia Hunds, Success Umukoro, Leticia Quingostas, and Rushana Dwyer turned in a time of 3:43.55.
“We have to focus on staying sharp and staying active,” Vance said. “We have to keep our teams moving and pick our spots on how to challenge them. We have to know how to read our athletes on when they need to rest and when they need to put in work.”