LUBBOCK — Chris Robinson broke the NJCAA 400-meter hurdles all-time record and the South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams combined for five event titles in their final meet before nationals Saturday at the Texas Tech Corky Classic at the Fuller Track and Field Complex.
South Plains will shift its focus to the 2022 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships, which are slated for May 19-21 in Hutchinson, Kansas. The Texans and Lady Texans will enter the meet as the defending national champions, after winning the 2021 men's and women's outdoor national titles a year ago on their home turf in Levelland.
"Being the last meet of the regular season, we're trying to be as sharp as we can, as competitive as we can, and find that edge that we have to have," South Plains College head coach Erik Vance said. "I think we did a good job today, but we have some ways to go. We have some time to get sharpened up, and if we do that we will be in good shape."
A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Robinson clocked a 49.18 in the men's 400 hurdles Saturday evening to win the event, while breaking the previous NJCAA record of 49.29, set by Blinn College's Eric Thomas on May 21, 1994. Robinson also placed fourth in the 110 hurdles, posting a 14.14.
"We were happy when Chris took the opportunity to come back to South Plains," Vance said. "He didn't have to, and he could have moved on to the division one level. He decided last year he had some unfinished business and kind of bet on himself. There are very few people that work harder than him, and he's a guy who understands what it takes to be great. I'm really happy for him and for coach Miller, and for them to see all the work they have been doing come to fruition, it couldn't happen to someone who has earned it more."
In the men's 100 meters, Chaunzavia Lewis placed second with a time of 10.34. South Plains' Jeremey Bembridge was first in the men's 400 meters in 45.55. while Shevioe Reid was fourth in 46.59. South Plains went one-two in the men's 800 meters, as Aron Tanui was first with a time of 1:48.14, while Mehdi Yanouri was second in 1:49.95. In the men's 5000 meters, Zachary McPhee took fourth with a time of 15:22.70.
In the men's high jump, indoor high jump national champion Kudakwashe Chadenga placed third with a mark of 7' 1.5". All-American Thomas Nieto won the men's pole vault event, clearing the bar at 17' 6.5". The Texans closed out the meet with a second place finish in the 4x400 relay, as Evaldo Whitehorne, Lewis, Kimar Farquharson, and Reid clocked a 3:06.63.
On the women's side, the Lady Texans posted the top time in the 4x100 relay, as Xazari Naylor, Corlasia Scott, Joniar Thomas, and Success Umukoro ran a 45.24. Umukoro also placed sixth in the 400 meters, turning in a time of 55.83.
"I was really happy with our women's 4x100 today, and we put a different group out there," Vance said. "We have been running well and have had some good times, and we just wanted to give ourselves some options heading into nationals. I think that group ran well and gave us some versatility with what we do with that relay."
In the women's 1500 meters, Jeniel Jones was sixth in 5:00.66, while Savage Ashyiria was fifth in the women's 100 hurdles in a time of 14.60. In the women's 400 hurdles, Shenell Tucker placed third with a time of 1:01.19, while Amaya Phillips was fourth in 1:01.61.
In the women's high jump, Amaya Brown placed fourth on the afternoon, clearing the bar at 5' 5.25". In the women's discus, Kimola Hines placed fifth with a throw of 143' 5", while Sarahi Baeza was eighth in the women's pole vault with a mark of 10' 4.75".
"The qualifying part is done, and for those that made it to the national meet, you have to hit the reset button because everyone starts in the exact same spot when you get to there," Vance said. "We have to be hungry, and we have to be competitors because nothing will be handed to you at this level. Everybody is good, and we have to go out and take what we want."