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.
The Lady Texans also posted the fastest time in the NJCAA in the women's 4x400 in Austin as Ashley Hughes, Janiel Moore, Agnes Abrocquah, and Natassha McDonald clocked in at 3:40.49. Freshman Jelena Rowe holds the top mark in the women's high jump, set on Feb. 2 at the Charlie Thomas Invitational when she cleared 6' 0.5".
Freshman Ruth Usoro has proven to be one of the top jumpers in the country as she currently holds the second-best mark (42' 8.25") in the women's triple jump and the fourth top mark (19' 8") in the long jump. The Lady Texans also have two of the top distance runners in the NJCAA in Seselia Dala and Leslie Romero who have each posted two of the top times in the women's 5000 meters, Dala is currently second at the NJCAA level with a 17:32.05, and Romero is fourth with a 17:39.31 each posted at the Tyson Invitational on Feb. 9.
Following their trip to San Angelo, South Plains will return to action on April 14. In Hobbs as the Ross Black Invitational on the campus of New Mexico Junior College, followed by a trip to Norman on April 21 for the John Jacobs Invitational.