2016-17 Men's Track and Field News
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South Plains' Natassha McDonald wins 400m Canadian National Championship, will compete at IAAF World Championships
July 20, 2017The past three months have been good to South Plains track standout Natassha McDonald. As a freshman running for the Lady Texans, McDonald was crowned national champion in the women's 400 meters at the 2017 NJCAA Outdoor National meet in Hutchinson, Kansas where she posted a time of 53.52. -
Vance named Men's Outdoor National Coach of the Year, 33 South Plains athletes earn All-American honors
June 01, 2017LEVELLAND—The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its All-American recipients on Thursday for the 2017 NJCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field season. It came as no surprise that South Plains sat atop the men's list with 18 athletes earning All-American status in 31 different events. 15 Lady Texans were named All-Americans in 21 events.
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Texans overcome double-digit deficit to claim 11th consecutive outdoor national title
May 20, 2017HUTCHINSON, KS. —The Texans faced a double-digit deficit entering Saturday's championship finals. That didn't feel like the case on Friday night in a team meeting called by head coach Erik Vance. A first-year head coach from the small town of Panhandle, Texas, Vance, nor his team, flinched. The objective was clear: create opportunities, capitalize when the time came, and most importantly, leave no doubt. The Texans did just so, dominating a field of the countries' top athletes en route to their 11th consecutive men's Outdoor National Championship.
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Vance named West Region Outdoor Head Coach of the Year, Hobbs named West Region Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year
May 17, 2017LEVELLAND—The 2016-17 campaign has been good to the South Plains College track and field coaching staff. After being named the West Region Indoor Head Coach of the Year in March, first-year head coach Erik Vance can add West Region Outdoor Head Coach of the Year to his resume after being named the top coach in the region by fellow coaches in the West region. Vance has led the Texans to a No. 2 national ranking and has the Lady Texans ranked third in the latest USTFCCCA polls. The Texans will look to capture an unprecedented 11th consecutive national title when they take to the track on Thursday at the 2017 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships at Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson, Ka.
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South Plains Track & Field set for 2017 Outdoor National Championships in Kansas May 18-20
May 16, 2017LEVELLAND—This is the week we've worked for. That was the message radiating off South Plains head track and field coach Erik Vance on Monday as the men's and women's teams held their first of two practices before heading to Hutchinson, Ka. for the 2017 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships May 18-20.
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Williams and McDonald named Men's and Women's USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week
May 09, 2017LEVELLAND—In their final meet before the 2017 Outdoor National Championships on May 18-20 in Hutchinson, Ka., the South Plains College track and field teams wanted to tighten up any loose ends in Lubbock at the Masked Rider Open this past weekend. Mission accomplished.
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South Plains concludes final meet before nationals on Saturday at Masked Rider Open in Lubbock
May 06, 2017LUBBOCK—Each ranked inside the top three in the latest USTFCCCA national polls, the South Plains College track and field teams looked to be in championship form on Saturday at the Texas Tech Masked Rider Open at the Terry and Linda Fuller Track and Field Complex.
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Six track and field athletes announce commitments to four-year universities on Friday
May 05, 2017LEVELLAND—The South Plains College track and field program has been a perennial powerhouse since its birth, resulting in an influx of national title trophies and a growing list of athletes who move on to four-year universities after their time on the South Plains comes to an end. This year's teams remain no different, and the list of athletes who sign to compete at the next level grew by six today at a signing ceremony held inside the Texan Club. First-year head coach Erik Vance congratulated five members of the Texans squad, and one Lady Texan, all of whom announced where they will be competing next season.
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South Plains track and field prepped for Masked Rider Open in Lubbock on Saturday
May 04, 2017LEVELLAND—The South Plains College track and field teams will take a short trip to Lubbock on Saturday, May 6 to compete in their final meet before nationals at the 2017 Masked Rider Open at the Terry & Linda Fuller Track and Field Complex beginning with the field events at 11 a.m.
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South Plains track and field keeps rolling in Abilene on Thursday
April 27, 2017ABILENE—The South Plains College track and field teams competed in the ACU Wildcat Open on Thursday on the campus of Abilene Christian University in their first of two meets remaining before nationals on May 18-20 in Kansas. The Texans and Lady Texans entered Thursday with a combined 73 national qualifying marks, each ranked inside the top five in the latest USTFCCCA national polls. The Texans placed three runners inside the top five in the men's 110 hurdles as Mason Weh took second with a time of 13.94, followed by William Watson and Patrick Johnson who placed third and fourth with their times of 14.01 and 14.55, respectively.
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South Plains track and field headed to Abilene for ACU twilight on Thursday
April 26, 2017LEVELLAND–With less than a month until the 2017 Outdoor National Championships in Hutchinson, Kansas, the South Plains College track and field teams will head to Abilene on Thursday for the ACU Twilight on the campus of Abilene Christian University. The Texans and Lady Texans have been as advertised to date, combining for over 70 national qualifying marks while competing against the countries top athletes in nationally recognized meets. For their efforts, the Texans, who are the 10-time defending outdoor national champions, will enter Thursday ranked second in the country in the latest USTFCCCA national rankings. The Lady Texans have progressed and proven worthy of one of the top women's teams in the country, earning a No. 3 ranking by USTFCCA in the latest polls.
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South Plains track and field dazzles against Div. I field at John Jacobs Invitational in Norman
April 23, 2017NORMAN—The South Plains College track and field teams concluded their fifth meet of the outdoor season over the weekend at the 48th annual John Jacobs Invitational on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The Texans entered the meet ranked second in the country in the latest national polls, while the Lady Texans came in ranked third in the NJCAA. South Plains once again held its own against a field of Div. I schools including Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wichita State.
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South Plains track & field headed to Norman for the John Jacobs Invitational
April 20, 2017LEVELLAND—The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams will travel to the Sooner State on Friday to compete in the John Jacobs Invitational on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The Texans come into the meet ranked second in the latest national rankings. The Lady Texans enter the meet ranked third in the country as the two teams combined to set six facility records a week ago at the Ross Black Invitational in Hobbs.
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South Plains track and field sets six facility records on Saturday in Hobbs
April 15, 2017HOBBS—The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams set six facility records on Saturday at the Ross Black Invitational at Ross Black Stadium on the campus of New Mexico Junior College. Mauricia Prieto began the afternoon with a first place finish in the 200-meter dash crossing the line at 23.86. Safia Bright placed fourth in the women's 100-meter dash with a time of 11.81, as Joi Gill placed fifth with a time of 11.86. Natassha McDonald continues to take claim as one of the top sprinters in the country as the freshman from Toronto used a 53.46 in the women's 400-meter dash to take first.
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South Plains track and field prepped for Ross Black Invitational in Hobbs on Saturday
April 14, 2017LEVELLAND—The South Plains college men's and women's track and field teams will travel to Hobbs, N.M. on Saturday to compete in the Ross Black Invitational on the campus of New Mexico Junior College. The Texans enter the weekend ranked third in the country in the latest national rankings and have amassed 34 national qualifying marks to date. The Lady Texans come into the meet ranked fourth in the country and have compiled 36 national qualifying marks, and will look to add to that number come Saturday.
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South Plains track and field shines at David Noble Invitational in San Angelo
April 09, 2017SAN ANGELO—The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams concluded their third meet of the outdoor season over the weekend at the 2017 David Noble Invitational at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field. The Texans placed third with 114 team points while the Lady Texans also earned a third place finish with 107.5 team points. Angelo State placed first on the men's side with 213 points and TAMU-Commerce took second with 135.33. Angelo State also placed first in the women's division with 226.5 points as TAMU-Commerce placed second with 117.5.
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South Plains track and field headed to San Angelo for the David Noble Invitational
April 06, 2017LEVELLAND—A week after competing against the nation's best at the 2017 Texas Relays in Austin, the South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams will be back on the track this weekend when they travel to San Angelo for the David Noble Invitational. The Texans have been nothing short of spectacular over the first two weeks of the season combining for 17 national qualifying marks including four of the top marks in the country. For that, the Texans earned a No. 3 national ranking in the first USTFCCCA NJCAA Division I rankings on Wednesday. The Lady Texans have been just as impressive under first-year head coach Erik Vance, combining for 16 national qualifying marks to date and hold two of the top marks in the country. The Lady Texans were rewarded with a No. 4 national ranking on Wednesday and will look to continue to rise in the polls with another impressive outing in San Angelo.
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South Plains track and field concludes 2017 Texas Relays with top finishes on Saturday in Austin
April 01, 2017AUSTIN—The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams put themselves in contention to prove worthy of national recognition on day three of the 2017 Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Meyers Stadium on Saturday. And that they did. The Texans' 4x400 relay team comprised of Junior Charles, Rayan Holmes, Okeen Willaims and Montel Hood took third overall with a final time of 3:07.60. The Lady Texans also earned a top 10 finish as Latriceia Smith, Natassha McDonald, Mauricia Prieto and Agnes Abrocquah earned a ninth place finish with their time of 3:42.14.
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South Plains track & field prepped for 2017 Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin
March 29, 2017LEVELLAND—The South Plains College track and field teams will look for a repeat performance following a phenomenal outing on March 25 at UTEP when they travel to Austin for the 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays March 29-April 1 at Mike A. Myers Stadium. This year's running of the Texas Relays is set to be the largest group of competitors to date as nearly 7,700 athletes from 17 countries and 37 states within the U.S. will take to the track to prove their worth against an elite field of world-class competition.
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South Plains Track and Field begins Outdoor campaign with dominating performance in El Paso
March 26, 2017El PASO—The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams kicked off their 2017 outdoor campaign on Saturday at the UTEP Springtime meet at Kidd Field. Naomi Kerari and Bosiboro Mosongo got things started for the Lady Texans as the duo tied for sixth in the high jump with their final marks of 4' 10.25". Jannia Price placed fifth in the women's discus with a final throw of 141' 9.5". Mclendon Hill used a mark of 49' 2.5" in the men's shot put for a second place finish.
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South Plains Track and Field to kickoff Outdoor campaign on Saturday in El Paso
March 25, 2017El PASO—The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams kicked off their 2017 outdoor campaign on Saturday at the UTEP Springtime meet at Kidd Field. Naomi Kerari and Bosiboro Mosongo got things started for the Lady Texans as the duo tied for sixth in the high jump with their final marks of 4' 10.25". Jannia Price placed fifth in the women's discus with a final throw of 141' 9.5". Mclendon Hill used a mark of 49' 2.5" in the men's shot put for a second place finish.
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SPC Texans and Lady Texans combine for 30 Indoor track & field All-American honors
March 12, 2017LEVELLAND—The South Plains College Texans and Lady Texans track & field teams recently concluded the 2016-2017 Indoor season which saw each team end the year as one of the top programs in the country. The Texans finished as the national runner-up while the Lady Texans brought home a third place national finish. Those performances were destined to be recognized as the Texans had 17 athletes earn the title of All-American, while 13 Lady Texans were named All-Americans. Below is the complete list of All-Americans as named by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
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Erik Vance named West Region Indoor Head Coach of the Year, Justin Hobbs named West Region Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year
March 07, 2017LEVELLAND—The South Plains College men's and women's Track and Field teams recently concluded their 2016-2017 Indoor season at the NJCAA Indoor National Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas on March 3-4 at the Robert W. Plaster Center on the campus of Pittsburg State University. The Texans finished the season as the National Runner-Up, while the Lady Texans brought home a third place national finish. Those accomplishments went far from unnoticed, as first-year head coach Erik Vance was named the 2017 USTFCCCA West Region Coach of the Year, and first-year assistant coach Justin Hobbs was named the 2017 USTFCCCA West Region Assistant Coach of the Year as voted on by USTFCCCA member coaches.
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South Plains makes strong showing on day one of Indoor Nationals in Kansas
March 03, 2017PITTSBURG, Kansas—Day one of the 2017 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships at the Robert W. Plaster Center on the campus of Pittsburg State University saw the Texans and Lady Texans put themselves in contention for national gold on Friday. Freshman Laquan Nairn soared his way to a first place finish in the men's long jump as the Bahamas native jumped 24' 11.75". South Plains' Derrick Monroe wasn't far behind as the sophomore from Yuma, Arizona placed third overall with a final mark of 24' 05.75". Saahir Bethea also earned a top 10 finish as the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania native placed sixth with a jump of 24' 01.50".
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Texans place second, Lady Texans place third at 2017 NJCAA Indoor National Championships
March 03, 2017PITTSBURG, Kan.—Day two of the 2017 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships at Pittsburg State's Robert W. Plaster Center saw the Texans and Lady Texans each finish the season as two of the top programs in the country. The Texans would end up finishing second overall with a final team total of 104.5 points. Iowa Central placed first with 124 points, as Barton County, Butler and Hinds Community College rounded out the top five. The Lady Texans finished third in the country with 70 team points. New Mexico Junior College placed first with 121 points and Iowa Central placed second with 116 points.
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South Plains set for 2017 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships in Kansas
March 02, 2017LEVELLAND—Championship weekend. The South Plains College track and field program has been a staple across the NJCAA landscape for their continued dominance that has remained consistent throughout the years, much in part due to the championship pedigree that surrounds the program. The Texans and Lady Texans will look to add to that legacy this weekend when they travel to Pittsburg, Kansas for the 2017 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field National Championships on March 3-4 at the Robert W. Plaster Center on the campus of Pittsburg State University.
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SPC Track and Field to compete at NMJC Indoor Invitational this weekend
February 18, 2017LEVELLAND—With just two weeks remaining until the 2017 NJCAA Indoor National Championships on March 3-4 in Pittsburgh, Kansas, the South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams will travel to Hobbs, New Mexico this weekend to compete at the NMJC Indoor Invitational at the Ross Black Field of Champions. South Plains enters the meet with 67 national qualifying marks. The Texans and Lady Texans traveled to the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas a week ago which saw the two teams thrive against a group of elite NJCAA and NCAA level competition. Laquan Nairn and Natasha McDonald earned National Athlete of the Week honors after the duo each posted the top marks in their respected events.
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South Plains dominates day one of NMJC Indoor Invitational in Hobbs
February 18, 2017HOBBS—With 67 national qualifying marks on tap, the South Plains College track and field teams was back in action on Friday at the NMJC Indoor Invitational at the Ross Black Field of Champions. Cha'Kaylin Gilbert and Melody Korie kicked off the meet with a two-three finish in the women's long jump. Gilbert jumped 18' 0.5" with Korie finishing with a final mark of 18' 0.25". Gilbert would then go on to take fourth in the women's triple jump posting a final distance of 38' 9", while Korie took sixth with a jump of 36' 2.75". Derrick Monroe earned the top honors in the men's long jump after finishing with a final mark of 24' 0.75". Monroe would then go on to take third in the triple jump as the sophomore from Yuma, Arizona leaped 46' 7.25" earning a national qualifying mark. Kwaume McGee also earned a top five finish with his final mark of 44' 3.5", good enough for fourth place.
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South Plains track and field makes strong showing in final meet before Indoor Nationals
February 18, 2017HOBBS—Following a dominating day one performance which saw the South Plains track and field teams continue to make their case as the top program in the country, the Texans and Lady Texans were just as impressive on Saturday at the Ross Black Field of Champions in their final meet before the NJCAA Indoor National Championships. "I think we've done a great job and have used this meet to sharpen up," South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. "We had a couple of kids we need to get qualified, and they did the job and did what they needed to do. We've looked good and I'm happy with what we've done today." Safia Bright kicked off the afternoon with a second place finish in the women's 60 meter dash after posting a final time of 7.51. Taylor Hill placed fourth with a 7.60 and Joi Gill took sixth with a 7.70. Bright then went on take second overall in the 200 meter dash with a final mark of 24.08, while Omotayo Abolaji and Hill finished fifth and sixth with times of 24.51 and 24.87, respectively.
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SPC Track and Field set to compete at NMJC Indoor Invitational this weekend
February 16, 2017LEVELLAND—With just two weeks remaining until the 2017 NJCAA Indoor National Championships on March 3-4 in Pittsburgh, Kansas, the South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams will travel to Hobbs, New Mexico this weekend to compete at the NMJC Indoor Invitational at the Ross Black Field of Champions. South Plains enters the meet with 67 national qualifying marks. The Texans and Lady Texans traveled to the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas a week ago which saw the two teams thrive against a group of elite NJCAA and NCAA level competition. Laquan Nairn and Natasha McDonald earned National Athlete of the Week honors after the duo each posted the top marks in their respected events.
