AUSTIN — The South Plains College men's 4x800 relay team highlighted the 94th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays by setting a new school record and the No. 2 NJCAA all-time mark Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
The Texans' Kimar Farquharson, Dwight Mason, Mehdi Yanouri, and Aron Tanui posted a 7:20.31 in the 4x800, winning the event title over the likes of Texas A&M, Arkansas, and LSU.
"That particular group isn't lacking in confidence, and they know what they can do and know what they are capable of," South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. "We talked a lot this weekend about not being scared of anyone, and I think that showed across the board. I think we showed no fear and represented South Plains well. It doesn't matter who we line up against, We're trying to beat everyone out there."
South Plains would follow up with a fourth place finish in the men's 4x400 relay, as Jeremy Bembridge, Evaldo Whitehorne, Farquharson, and Hossam Hatib clocked a 3:06.58, hitting a national qualifying mark. In the men's high jump, freshman indoor high jump national champion Kudakwashe Chadenga placed eighth in the high jump Saturday, clearing the bar a 7' 1.75". Caio Almedia also hit a national qualifying mark in the men's 400 hurdles, crossing the line in 51.95.
"I feel like junior college as a whole is very competitive, and we are all out there to beat each other," Vance said. "At the end of the day, any time any of us can go out and do something great, it represents our group collectively. The quality of junior college athletics and the quality of athletes at this level is special."
On the women's side, Shenell Tucker notched a fifth place finish in the women's 400 hurdles, hitting a national qualifying mark with a time of 1:01.14. Amaya Phillips placed ninth in the 400 hurdles, posting a 1:01.70.
Joniar Thomas tallied a fifth place finish in the women's long jump, turning in a final mark of 20' 0.25". Freshman All-American Success Umukoro earned a national qualifying mark in the women's 100 meters, clocking an 11.79. The Lady Texans capped the meet by hitting a national qualifying mark in the women's 4x400 relay, as Umukoro, Cemore Donald, Anna-Kay Allen, and Phillips turned in a final time of 3:41.67.
"Joniar didn't have her best day in the long jump and faced some adversity from the technical standpoint of things, and to start with two fouls and get in the finals and get within the top five was really good," Vance said. "I thought Success ran well, and I was really proud of our women's 4x400 team. They gave it their best shot and I'm really proud of that group. "
South Plains will be back on the track next weekend in San Angelo at the David Noble Relays March 31-April 31 at Angelo State University, followed by a trip to the DFW for the North Texas Classic on April 9.