LUBBOCK — The South Plains College men's and women's track and field teams opened the indoor season this weekend, picking up a pair of event titles at the 2020 Texas Tech Corky Classic at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center.
"Across the board, they went out and competed today," South Plains head coach Erik Vance said. "I know a lot of them were nervous, but at the end of the day, they got after it and showed they wanted to win and this was a good start to the season."
Competing in her first collegiate meet, freshman Onaara Obamuwagun won the women's triple jump event, soaring 43' 3.75" on her fifth attempt, breaking the school record. The Texans notched an event title in the men's 400 meters as freshman Khaleb McRae posted the top time in 47.03, topping Ryan Champlin and Lavone Brown of Texas Tech. Jumping for the first time collegiately, freshman Romaine Beckford notched a fourth place finish in the men's high jump, clearing 6' 11.5 on his sixth attempt.
"From the field event side of things, Romaine jumped just off his personal best and was out there jumping with two Olympians and Div. I champions," Vance said. "He stood up and competed very well against a solid field. Onaara goes out and breaks the school record in her first meet and which was outstanding. She has some big things coming this season and can help us in multiple places."
Sophomore Rylan Olguin earned a fifth place finish for South Plains in the men's pole vault as he cleared 15' 4.25" on his first attempt. In the men's mile run, freshman Abdirizak Ibrahim placed seventh overall, posting a final time of 4:28.78. Freshman Rosemary Chukwuma notched a seventh place finish in the women's 60 meters, crossing the line in 7.44 for South Plains.
The Lady Texans placed a pair of runners in the top 10 in the women's 400 meters, as freshmen Jordan Brown and Amaya Phillips went five-six for South Plains. Brown clocked a final time of 58.02, while Phillips turned in a time of 58.41. Freshman Silva Tafiti earned a second place finish in the women's shot put event, turning in a final mark of 47' 6.25" on her first throw of the afternoon.
In the men's long jump, sophomore Devaughn Whymns placed 10th overall for the Texans, posting a final mark of 22' 11.25". Freshman Lexi Jackson turned in a top 10 finish in her first meet running for South Plains, placing sixth overall in the women's 800 meters in a time of 2:22.82. In the men's 800 meters, freshman Jorden Kelley turned in a time of 1:59.56, placing eighth for the Texans.
The sophomore duo of Dorcus Ewoi and Gladys Jemaiyo each found themselves in the top five in the women's 3000 meters, as Ewoi placed third in 10:19.64, while Jemaiyo took fourth with a time of 10:22.17.
South Plains will return to action next Friday in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Red Raider Invitational, followed by a trip to College Station Feb. 7-8 for the Charlie Thomas Invitational at Texas A&M University.
Full results: https://live.pttiming.com/?mid=1902