T-Bird (W-T&F) Improves 5 Qualifiers, Suarez Moves to No. 1 in 400m

The NMJC women's track & field team competed at the SPC Alumni Elite Invite in Levelland, Texas on Friday, April 3.

The T-Birds had five improved qualifiers and four new individual national qualifiers.

Gabriela Anahi Suarez sprinted her way to the top spot in the NJCAA with a time of 53.36 in the 400m. 

Hurdler Charissa December was spectacular in Levelland running a near school-record 57.94 in the 400mH. The improved qualifying time is No. 1 in the NJCAA and is .47 seconds behind Calisha Taylor's record. She also qualified in the 100mH where she ran a 14.35 to rank No. 13 in the NJCAA.

Sophomore Lindsey Lopes registered a 2:15.47 in the 800m to improve on her previous national standard by 3.19 seconds. The time is ranked No. 11 in JUCO. 

Yididiya Bifa was a national qualifier in the 1500m with a time of 4:28.41 which ranks No. 2 in the NJCAA. She is knocking on the door of the oldest NMJC school record set by Caroline Jepleting in 2009 with her time of 4:27.29. 

Tiana Petrova improved on her previous national standard in the high jump by .01m with a clearance of 1.71m. Petrova is ranked No. 4 in the NJCAA for the event.    

Freshman Tatiana Bedoya vaulted 3.70m to improve by .02m on her previous best. The vault is No. 3 in the NJCAA.     

Gabriella Tcheukam qualified for nationals in the hammer with a mark of 45.50m. The throw is No. 20 in the NJCAA.

Freshman Alejandra Sanchez has steadily climbed the javelin ranks this season. The Hobbs, NM local recorded a 42.14m throw to improve on her national mark by 1.78m. She now moves into the No. 4 spot in the NJCAA.  

The Thunderbirds are ranked No. 2 in the second checkpoint of the USTFCCCA Track & Field Women's Outdoor Rating Index.   

The T-Birds next meet is April 9-11 in Canyon, Texas at the Jo Meaker Classic & Multi.