HOBBS — The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams wrapped up the Ross Black Track and Field Open Saturday, combing for 12 event titles at the NMJC Track and Field Complex.

Freshman Keontae Gaines posted the top time in the men's 100 meters, clocking a 10.36, while Chaunzavia Lewis was second in 10.47. Lewis would then turn in a time of 20.65 to win the men's 200 meters, while Hossam Hatib was second in 20.88. In the men's high jump, indoor national champion Kudakwashe Chadenga won the event with a clearance of 7' 2.5". 

"Kuda took the last meet off to give him a chance to reset," South Plains College head coach Erik Vance said. "He struggled a little bit at the Texas Relays, and he is still very young and trying to figure out the event. I was really encouraged as the bar went higher and higher today, and he had a big smile on his face and seemed to have that feeling as to what it takes to jump some high bars." 

All-American Chris Robinson won the men's 400 meters in a time of 46.85, while Evaldo Whitehorne was third in 48.40. In the men's 800 meters, Mehdi Yanouri placed second in 1:54.64, while Dwight Mason was fourth in 1:54.96. Yanouri would then go on to win the men's 1500 meters in a time of 3:54.60.

In the men's 400 hurdles, Robinson posted the top time in 53.09, while Caio Almeida was second with a time of 54.08. Freshman Zachary McPhee won the men's 3000 steeplechase in a time of 9:37.79, while freshman Paxton Hair was won the men's discus with a throw of 165' 5". In the men's long jump, Elisha Teneus-Claude was third with a mark of 24' 9.25".

The top-ranked Texans would then close out the meet with a first place finish in the men's 4x400, as Whitehorne, Robinson, Shevioe Reid, and Hatib posted a 3:08.99.

"Our men's team just likes to get out there and compete," Vance said. "We have run the 4x400 the past few weeks and haven't had anyone particularly close to us. They continue to run hard and lay down good times, and for the most part, they understand we have limited opportunities to compete. And in reality, you can't mimic that in practice and have to take full advantage of those opportunities.

On the women's side, Camille Lewis notched a first place finish in the women's 800 meters, posting a 2:24.08. In the women's long jump on Friday, freshman Joniar Thomas won the event with a jump of 20 8.5.

Success Umukoro posted a second place finish in the women's 100 meters, crossing the line in 11.42. Xazari Naylor was fifth in the 100 with a time of 11.95. In the women's 400 meters, Amaya Phillips placed fourth in 56.27, while Anna-Kay Allen was fifth in 56.43.

Freshman Ashyiria Savage placed second in the women's 100 hurdles with a time of 14.06, while Naylor took sixth with a time of 15.36.. Phillip would then clock a 1:04.36 in the 400 hurdles, good enough for third, while Corlasia Scott was fourth in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:04.47.

In the women's 3000 steeplechase, Jeniel Jones placed third in a time of 12:25.42, while Amaya Brown placed second in the women's high jump with a clearance of 5' 3.75". South Plains posted the top time in the women's 4x100 relay as Savage, Naylor, Thomas, and Umukoro clocked a 46.07. The Lady Texans would then close out the meet with a second place finish in the 4x400 relay as Umukoro, Cemore Donald, Allen, and Phillips posted a 3:48.74.

"We continue to talk about how each time our women's team goes out and competes they seem to get better than the week before," Vance said. "Our women's 400 group ran really tough with the conditions like they were, and I'm just really proud with how they continue to work week in and week out and just keep getting better. They have learned how to compete and how to race."

South Plains will close out their final meet before nationals next week in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Corky Crofoot Shootout April 29-30.