2017-18 Men's Cross Country News

  • No. 1 Texans, No. 4 Lady Texans look to bring home national gold at 2018 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships May 17-19 in Kansas
    May 13, 2018
    LEVELLAND — With the regular season complete, the South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams will shift their focus to the 2018 NJCAA Div. I Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 17-19 in El Dorado, Kansas at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex on the campus of Butler Community College.  Action will get underway on Thursday at 9 a.m. beginning with the women's combined events, followed by the men's combined events at 9:15 a.m. The meet will be capped following the men's 1600-meter relay at 4:25 p.m. on Saturday with the awards ceremony to follow. "We're just trying to keep our kids healthy and refreshed and on top of their game," South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. "I think they understand what time of year it is and you see that in practice and they're ready to go. Now that finals are done they can mentally recover from that, and now they have one thing to focus on, and once they do that we will be ready to go." 
  • South Plains track and field sets two facility records Saturday in Hobbs
    April 14, 2018
    HOBBS, N.M. — The South Plains College men’s and women’s track and field teams capped the 2018 Ross Black Invitational with a pair of facility records on Saturday at the Ross Black Field of Champions. The top-ranked Texans swept the top three spots in the men’s long jump as sophomore All-American Fabian Edoki set a facility record with a mark of 26’ 2.25”* on his first attempt. Freshman Holland Martin followed up with a second place finish, soaring 24’ 9.25”*, while Danylo Molchanov earned third place honors with a final mark of 23’ 3.25”*. Molchanov would also take first in the men’s triple jump, turning in a mark of 49’ 10.5”*. “Our guys went one-two-three in the long jump today, and any time you can do that in a meet it’s a good day,” South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. “Asani Hylton did really well and is starting to come along and keeps getting better every week. Overall I was really happy with the final results today and I thought both groups went out and did a great job.”
  • No. 1 Texans, No. 3 Lady Texans travel to Hobbs April 14 for Ross Black Invitational
    April 12, 2018
    LEVELLAND – The South Plains College men’s and women’s track and field teams return to action on Saturday in Hobbs at the Ross Black Invitational following a strong outing in San Angelo a week ago. The Texans enter the weekend ranked No. 1 in the latest USTFCCCA national polls, while the Lady Texans come in ranked third. To date, the Texans and Lady Texans have combined for 64 national qualifying marks after winning six event titles in San Angelo. “Andre Edwards ran a very competitive time in the 100 which was just about legal wind with a 10.13, and Brandon Letts followed him up in the 100 meters with a new personal best as well,” South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. “Junior Charles and Jordan Atkinson ran well in the 200 and did some good things in the finals, and Dan set the second-best mark in the country in the triple jump which was very solid.”
  • No. 1 Texans, No. 3 Lady Texans combine for six event titles Sunday in San Angelo
    April 09, 2018
    SAN ANGELO — The South Plains College men’s and women’s track and field teams were back on the track Sunday at the ASU David Noble Relays at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field. The Texans and Lady Texans combined for six event titles in San Angelo and have acquired 64 national qualifying marks to date, a number they will get a chance to add to on April 14 in Hobbs at the Ross Black Invitational on the campus of New Mexico Junior College. “All in all I thought we had a solid day from start to finish,” South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. “We put a good number of kids in the prelims and had a good number in the finals tonight, so any time you can qualify that many is a good thing, and we came back this evening and competed well and really got after it.”
  • No. 1 Texans, No. 3 Lady Texans poised for ASU David Noble Relays
    April 05, 2018
    LEVELLAND — The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams return to competition this weekend in San Angelo at the ASU David Noble Relays on the campus of San Angelo State University. After just two meets, the Texans have qualified 31 athletes in 18 events for nationals, while the Lady Texans have qualified 18 athletes in 12 events heading into week three. For their efforts, the Texans earned a No. 1 national ranking in the week one USTFCCCA national polls, while the Lady Texans come into the weekend ranked third in the NJCAA. In their previous outing in Austin at the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, South Plains held its own against a field of the nation's best, setting two of the top marks in the country at the NJCAA level. Freshman Markim Felix set the top mark in the country in the men's javelin with a throw of 240' 3", and also has the 10th best throw in the men's shot put (50' 10.25") set on Feb. 16 at the Texas Tech Matador Qualifier. The Texans also posted the top time in the country in the men's 4x400 in Austin as Junior Charles, Jordan Atkinson, Myles Scott and Montel Hood finished with a time of 3:08.23. The Texans have also posted the top two times in the country in the men's long jump, as freshman Holland Martin soared 25' 4.5" a week ago, which is currently the second-best mark in the country behind teammate Fabian Enoki's mark of 26' 7", set March 23 in Abilene.
  • South Plains track and field to compete at 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays March 28-31
    March 27, 2018
    LEVELLAND — The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams will travel to the capital city March 28-31 for the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Meyers Stadium. The meet will welcome athletes from 35 states and 21 countries including 195 college/university programs. Action will get underway on Wednesday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the collegiate decathlon and heptathlon. For the seventh consecutive year, the meet will broadcast live on the Longhorn Network beginning Wednesday morning. The collegiate decathlon and heptathlon will continue Thursday at 10 a.m. with field events set to begin at 11 a.m., with running events getting underway at 4:30 p.m. “The Texas Relays are a show, and it’s definitely one of the best meets in the country,” South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. “It’s one of the top three collegiate meets in the country and also attracts some of the top high school athletes and gives our coaching staff a chance to recruit. There are high school and collegiate records broken every year and serves as a dual-purpose meet for us.”
  • Edoki sets top collegiate mark as South Plains impresses in opening outdoor meet in Abilene
    March 26, 2018
    ABILENE — The South Plains College men’s and women’s track and field teams opened the outdoor season this weekend at the Wes Kittley Invitational on the campus of Abilene Christian University. South Plains will return to action March 28-31 in Austin at the 91st annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Meyers Stadium.   Sophomore Fabian Edoki wasted no time setting the bar for the Texans in the men’s long jump as he set the top collegiate mark in the country in the men’s long jump, soaring 26’ 7”* on his third attempt, good enough for first overall on Saturday. Freshman Danylo Molchanov also found himself in the top 10 in the long jump as he placed sixth for South Plains with a mark of 23’ 6.25” on his third attempt. Molchanov would then place first overall in the men’s triple jump with a mark of 50’ 5.25”* on his sixth attempt.
  • Texans capture 2018 NJCAA Men's Indoor National Championship in final race Saturday in Lubbock
    March 03, 2018
    LUBBOCK — The stage was set. Trailing Barton County by two points with a single race remaining, the top-ranked South Plains College men's track and field team controlled its own destiny. With the South Plains College faithful packed into the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center chanting "SPC", the Texans didn't disappoint. Running as the anchor for the orange and blue in the men's 4X400 relay, Montel Hood barreled down the final stretch in front of a ruckus crowd as the Texans finished second with a 3:09.56, two spots ahead of Barton to take a 94-92 lead in the final standings as they captured the 2018 NJCAA Men's Indoor National Championship, their sixth indoor title in program history and first since 2015. "I knew Barton was on my tail and had to keep pushing," Hood said. "I like to make my move in the final half of the race, so I kicked at the halfway mark and was able to pass him smoothly. All you feel at that moment is jitters going through your body, but we all pulled together and made it happen. Every time we step on the track we give it everything we have, and it paid off for us today."
  • South Plains track and field set for 2018 NJCAA Indoor National Championships March 2-3 in Lubbock
    March 01, 2018
    LEVELLAND — Championship weekend. The South Plains College men’s and women’s track and field teams will look to add to the trophy case this weekend at the 2018 NJCAA Indoor National Championships at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center March 2-3. The Texans have ascended to the top of the USTFCCCA national rankings and will enter the weekend ranked first in the country. Led by head coach Erik Vance, the Texans have amassed 15 top 10 national marks in 12 different events.
  • 18 South Plains student-athletes named to WJCAC Commissioner's Honor Roll
    January 22, 2018
    The Western Junior College Athletic Conference recently announced the members of the WJCAC Commissioner's Honor Roll for Fall 2017 semester, including 18 athletes from South Plains College. Student-athletes had to have a 3.25 GPA or better to be selected. 
  • Texans place third, Lady Texans place seventh at Cross Country National Championships on Saturday
    November 11, 2017
    FORT DODGE, IA — The South Plains College men’s and women’s cross country teams earned a pair of top 10 finishes on Saturday at the 2017 NJCAA Cross Country Championships at the Lakeside Golf Couse.
  • 2017 NJCAA Cross Country National Championship Preview
    November 10, 2017
    The South Plains College men’s and women’s cross country teams will travel to Fort Dodge, Iowa this weekend for the 2017 NJCAA Cross Country Championships on Nov. 11 at the Lakeside Golf Course. The men’s 8k will get underway at 11 a.m., followed by the women’s 5k at noon.
  • Texans capture second consecutive NJCAA Region V Cross Country title on Saturday in Levelland
    October 28, 2017
    LEVELLAND — The South Plains College men’s cross country team defended their regional crown on Saturday at Lake Brashear Park in Levelland as they captured their second consecutive NJCAA Region V Cross Country Championship title. The Texans placed five runners inside the top 10 to finish with a final team average of 25:28.70. El Paso Community College placed second, followed by Ranger, Western Texas and Odessa College.
  • 2017 Region V Cross Country Championship Preview
    October 27, 2017
    LEVELLAND — The South Plains College men’s and women’s cross country teams will look to add to their trophy case come Saturday when they host the NJCAA Region V Cross Country Championships at Brashear Lake Park in Levelland. The women’s 5k will get underway at 10:45 a.m., followed by the men’s 8k at 11:15.
  • Texans place first, Lady Texans second at the SPC Open on Saturday in Levelland
    October 07, 2017
    LEVELLAND—The South Plains College men's and women's cross country teams were back in action on Saturday on their home course at the 2017 South Plains College Open at Brashear Lake Park. Ranked third in the latest USTFCCCA national polls, the Texans protected their home course and picked up their fifth consecutive first-place finish placing four runners inside the top 10.
  • 2017 South Plains College Open Preview
    October 06, 2017
    LEVELLAND—A week after sweeping the New Mexico Junior College Invitational in Hobbs, the South Plains College men’s and women’s cross country teams will return to action on Saturday when they host the South Plains College Open at Brashear Lake Park beginning with the women’s 5k at 10:45 a.m.  The men’s 8k will get underway at 11:15 and both races will be streamed live at spctexans.com
  • South Plains Cross Country Sweeps New Mexico Junior College Invitational
    September 29, 2017
    HOBBS—Another week. Another sweep. The South Plains College men’s and women’s cross country teams picked up a pair of first-place finishes on Friday evening at the New Mexico Junior College Invitational at Harry McAdams Park.
  • South Plains Cross Country set for New Mexico Junior College Open in Hobbs
    September 28, 2017
    LEVELLAND—The South Plains College men’s and women’s cross country teams will return to action on Friday when they travel to Hobbs, NM for the New Mexico Junior College Open beginning at 5 p.m. MST. The Texans will look to pick up their fourth consecutive victory in the men’s 8k, led by sophomore All-American Felix Kosgei. The Lady Texans’ veteran squad of Leslie Romero, Poro Gahekave, Seselia Dala and Caitlyn Mercer continue to make their claim as one of the top women’s teams in the country.
  • Kosgei, Romero earn top finishes at New Mexico Highlands Cross Country Jam
    September 23, 2017
    LAS VEGAS, NM—For the third time in as many weeks, the South Plains College Texan cross country team captured its third consecutive first-place finish on Saturday at the New Mexico Highlands Cross Country Jam. South Plains placed four runners inside the top five and six inside the top 10. The Texans were once again led by sophomore standout Felix Kosgei who earned his third straight top finish with a mark of 24:36 in the men’s 8k. Freshmen Andrew Bosquez and Filmon Beyene finished second and third for the Texans with times of 25:10 and 25:17, respectively.
  • South Plains Cross Country set for New Mexico Highlands Cross Country Jam
    September 22, 2017
    LEVELLAND—The South Plains College men’s and women’s cross country teams will travel to Las Vegas, New Mexico on Saturday to compete in the New Mexico Highlands Cross Country Jam. The Texans enter Saturday as winners of their first two meets which earned them a No. 4 national ranking in the newly released USTFCCCA polls. Led by sophomore All-American Felix Kosgei, the Texans swept the top four spots a week ago in Snyder at the Western Texas College Open and will look for a similar performance come Saturday.
  • Texans place first, Lady Texans place second at Western Texas College Open on Saturday
    September 16, 2017
    SNYDER—The South Plains College men’s cross country team picked up their second consecutive first-place finish on Saturday at the Western Texas College Open. The Texans concluded the men’s 8k with an average team time of 27:34, sweeping the top four spots and placing six runners inside the top 10. All-American Felix Kosgei placed first overall with a mark of 26:24, while Andrew Bosquez (27:25), Filmon Beyene (27:34) and Benjamin Rono (27:48) rounded out the top four positions.
  • South Plains College Cross Country Week 2 Preview
    September 15, 2017
    LEVELLAND—The South Plains College men’s and women’s cross country teams will look for a repeat performance when they travel to Snyder on Saturday following a week one performance that concluded with a pair of top-five finishes at the Texas Tech Open. The men’s 8k will get underway at 9 a.m. at the Western Texas College cross country course, followed by the women’s 5k at 9:35.
  • Kosgei leads Texans to first place finish on Saturday at Texas Tech Open
    September 09, 2017
    LUBBOCK—Sophomore All-American Felix Kosgei ran a 25:02.50 on Saturday in the men’s 8k of the Texas Tech Open at the Chaparral Ridge Golf Course, finishing second overall and leading the Texans to a first place finish in their first meet of the season. South Plains’ Andrew Bosquez placed fifth with a time of 25:57.10 amongst 93 runners. Benjamin Ronoh placed 18th with a time of 26:48.10, as the Texans finished with an average team time of 26:47.16 and 52 total team points. Lubbock Christian placed second with 55 points, as Wayland Baptist, UT-Permian Basin, and West Texas A&M rounded out the top five.
  • 2017 South Plains College Cross Country Preview
    September 08, 2017
    LEVELLAND—The South Plains College Texan and Lady Texan cross country teams will begin their 2017 campaign on Saturday at the Chaparral Ridge Golf Course in Lubbock as they look to build on a pair of top 10 national finishes a season ago. “With this group we’ve got, I was impressed,” South Plains head track and field coach Erik Vance said. “I thought they showed up very fit, and I thought they showed up ready to work. With what workouts I’ve seen so far, I’m very impressed with what we got.”