HOBBS, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico had a solid performance at the Ross Black Open, hosted by New Mexico Junior College, this past weekend. Despite the windy conditions, several athletes set personal bests on the track and in the field events.
 
During the women's 1500, Eastern placed four runners in the top six, including the top three times. Aminata Kenyawani took home first place with a time of 4:51.86, a personal best. Dorcas Kosgei and Malethabo Seema followed just behind, with time of 4:52.45 and 4:53.31, respectively. Kosgei set a new personal best in the race taking second and M. Seema took third place. Lethabo Seema took sixth place in the field of runners, clocking a time of 5:03.87.

For the 3000-meter steeplechase, Marta Pascoa and Lauren Griego marked personal bests in the event. Pascoa took home first place with a time of 11:42.14, and increasing the fifth best mark in program history. Griego's time of 13:26.85 was their best time in their career for the event.
 
Arianna Hayde made a great mark in the long jump, with a distance of 5.80m (19' 5"). Due to wind conditions, the mark can not be considered for records which would have broke on all-time mark in program history. Hayde claimed first place in the Javelin after a season best throw of 33.40 m (109' 7"). Hayde also set a personal best in the shot put, with a throw of 10.41 m (34' 2").
 
Tamia Smith had a standout performance, setting a personal best in the hammer throw with a distance of 42.68 m (140' 0"). In the shot put, Smith took home second place with a distance of 12.84 m (42' 1.5") marking the fifth best throw in program history. Additionally, Smith finished in the top 10 for the discus, ninth place, 31.93 m (104' 9").
 
Tatiana Hall set season best in the hammer throw and javelin throw. In the hammer, Hall placed in 10^th with a mark of 37.29 m (122' 4"), and fifth place in the javelin with a distance of 27.97 m (91' 9").
 
In the pole vault, Paige Graham had their best height of the season with a vault of 3.16 m (10' 4.25"). The mark lands as the fifth highest height in program history.
 
For the men's program, Dan Hurren and Devis Cheruiyot placed in the top-10 in the 800 meters. Hurren clocked a time of 1:59.29, finishing in seventh, while Cheruiyot took home ninth after a time of 2:00.16. Japhet Toroitich set a mark of 49.60 in the 400 meter run, taking eighth place.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Weather conditions with the high winds really made it tough for everyone to get some good marks in," said Head Track & Field Coach Jeff Kavalunas. "The distance ere moved to Saturday morning and Marta (Pascoa) and Lauren (Griego) had personal bests in the steeple and Aminata (Kenyawnai) in the 1500," said Kavalunas.

Eastern now look forward to next weekend at its final tune up before the LSC Championships. The Greyhounds will head to Texas Tech for the Corky/Crofoot Shootout on Apr. 29-Apr. 30 in Lubbock, Texas.