T-Bird T&F 4x4 Relay Teams Set Records at Texas Relays

The New Mexico Junior College track and field teams competed at the Texas Relays and Texas State Bobcat March 31-April 1 in Austin, Texas.

The men were successful over the weekend setting three new school records.

The Thunderbirds mile relay team of Aymane El Haddaoui, Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu, Dyimond Walker, and Takudzwa (Donald) Chiyangwa wowed the crowd at the Texas Relays with their win in the 4x400.

The T-Birds crossed the line in a school record time of 3:02.68 and now rank No. 1 in the NJCAA this year by just under five seconds. The 1600m relay run is the NJCAA's third-fastest ever for outdoor.

The T-Birds defeated all eight DI programs in their race and 13 of the 18 DI teams participating in the finals of the 4x400 in Austin, Texas.

Tomas Vega was the top performer in the 3000m steeplechase against DI competition with a school record time of 8:55.24. The national qualifying time ranks No. 1 in the NJCAA.

German Vega was close behind his brother finishing in second at the Texas Relays running a national standard in 8:58.03. The time is No. 2 in the NJCAA and is 29 seconds faster than the nearest competitor in third. 

Indoor triple jump national champion Kelsey Daniel met the national standard in the triple jump for the outdoor season with his NJCAA leading mark of 15.98m. 

One town over in San Marcos, Texas, distance runner Evans Pololet improved on his national standard in the 1500m by setting a school record in the event with a time of 3:48.66 at the Texas State Bobcat. The Kenyan's 1500m time is currently No. 1 in the NJCAA by nearly two seconds. 

Moving over to the women's side, the T-Birds continued to showcase their prowess in the 4x400 relay at the Texas Relays. The quartet of Mickaliliah Vassell, Deshana Skeete, Calisha Taylor, and Lacarthea Cooper qualified for the finals on Saturday by winning their heat on Friday afternoon. 

The final was littered with DI programs. The Thunderbirds finished the race in seventh with an outdoor school record in the mile relay after crossing the line in 3:35.95. The improved national standard is now No. 1 in the NJCAA this year and No. 4 all-time in the NJCAA.

Calisha Taylor edged her teammate Mickaliliah Vassell for the top spot in the NJCAA in the 400mH after her performance in the Texas Relays. Taylor's national qualifying time of 1:00.54 put her in front of Vassell by .88 seconds. 

Tijuanique Morton met the national standard in the 100m by clocking an 11.66 in the event. The time was .01 seconds in front of her teammate Ashantai Bollers and ranks the sophomore No. 2 in the NJCAA for the 100m. 

Damaris Chewon improved on her national standard in the 5000m by finishing the race in 17:37.75. The time is No. 1 in the NJCAA and 26 seconds faster than her nearest competitor.

In San Marcos, Texas, distance runner Letlhogonolo Magoro improved on her national qualifying standard in the 1500m with her 4:31.39 run. The time is No. 1 in the NJCAA and is a massive 15 seconds in front of her nearest competitor in the event.

NMJC track and field next stop will be in Canyon, Texas to compete in the Jo Meeker Classic April 7-8.