NMJC (M-T&F) Adds 6 New Qualifiers, Ranks No. 4
The T-Bird men's track and field team competed Jan. 23-24 at the Ted Nelson Invitational in College Station, Texas.
The men finished the meet with six new national qualifying standards and four improved qualifiers this weekend.
Rayen Chiha was the lone improved qualifier in the 800m with a time of 1:51.43 which was .17 seconds faster than the previous week. The time is .37 seconds off Romain Toth's school record. Chiha's run is ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA.
Three 800m runners qualified for nationals this week. Romain Toth topped the new list of athletes with a 1:52.28 in the race. Erwan Darrieulat recorded a 1:53.93 in College Station and Adolf Kauba was the last qualifier with a time of 1:55.16.
Freshman Carlos Brown improved on his previous national standard this week with a time of 6.67. The finish is .04 seconds quicker than last week and is No. 3 in JUCO this season for the event.
Mohammed Mrahi improved on his national standard in the 3000m Saturday after posting an 8:25.79. The sophomore bettered his time by 11.28 seconds and is No. 6 in JUCO.
Sophomore Killian LeBourhis is not far behind him in the 3000m after meeting the national standard with a finish of 8:29.83. LeBourhis ranks No. 11 in the NJCAA for the event.
Freshman Aaron McKenzie high jumped his way to nationals with a clearance of 2.04m this weekend. The jumper's leap is No. 8 in the NJCAA for the event.
Samuel Puustinen was the only thrower to improve on his previous national standard at Texas A&M. The freshman threw 18.13m which was .77m further than in Lubbock and good for No. 2 in junior college.
The distance medley relay squad of Elmehdi Bouchouata, Romain Toth, Mohamed Rayen Chiha, and Alexandre Fablet nationally qualified with a finish of 10:13.31 to rank No. 2 in the NJCAA for the event.
The T-Birds start the year as the No. 4 team in the USTFCCCA Track & Field Men's Indoor Rating Index.
The Thunderbirds next meet is Feb. 6-7 in Albuquerque, NM at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic.