CANYON, TEXAS – Eastern New Mexico track and field began its 2022 outdoor season with a impressive showing at the WT Spring Break Classic at the WTAMU Track & Field Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Tamia Smith had a great day in the throws placing in the top-10 for the shot put, discus, and hammer. Smith finished eighth in the hammer throw with a distance of 38.92 m (127' 8") and posted a third-place finish in the discus throw with a toss of 36.81 m (120' 9"). Smith's best finish was in the shot put, finishing in second after a throw of 13.15 m (43' 1.75"). This is Smith's second-best throw during an outdoor meet, and is second all-time in the program records.

Kiara Cox posted a top-to finish in the 100-meter dash (6^th, 12.67) and the 200-meter dash (8^th, 25.99). Alisha Hayde provided a 6^th place finish in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:29.83, while Savannah Romero placed 10^th after a clocking 2:35.58 on the stop watch.

Dan Hurren had an impressive run in the 800-meters, placing in second with a time of 1:57.42. Devis Cheruiyot followed in third place with a time of 1:59.07.

In the women's 1500-meter run, five Greyhounds finished in the top 10 and three placed in the top 5. Lethabo Seema took second place with a time of 4:51.85, while Dorcas Kosgei and Aminata Kenyawani followed with times of 4:54.70 (3^rd place) and 4:54.98 (4^th place), respectively. Malethabo Seema finished sixth with a time of 4:57.89 and Marta Pascoa crossed the line in 4:58.40 for seventh place.

Kelvin Kipkemboi set a personal best in the 1500-meter run, clocking 4:09.00 to finish in fourth place. Japhet Toroitich also competed in the 1500, taking sixth place with a time of 4:14.62.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Solid season opener for both squads," said Head Track & Field Coach Jeff Kavalunas. "It's been almost a month for us since the last competition, and we needed to blow the rust out and see where we are at in each event. The first meet of the season also gives the coaches and opportunity to evaluate, then tweek the training as needed," said Kavalunas. "Some of the better performances came from (Tamia) Smith in the shot put, (Kiara) Cox in the 200, (Dan) Hurren in the 800, and the women's 1500 runners".

The Greyhounds return to the track on April 1st for the Masked Rider Open, hosted by Texas Tech University. The two-day meet starts on Friday, April 1st, and concludes on Saturday, April 2nd.