NORMAN,
Okla. - The start of the 2023-24 season saw incredible action all day long from Eastern New Mexico women's track and field.
"I'm excited about some of the things we seen this weekend," remarked head coach
Joshua Harden after the meet. "Our ladies competed extremely hard, and we came away with some solid PB's in multiple events."
Easily one of the top races of the day came in the 60 meter. After running a 7.57s prelims time, newcomer Grizell Scarlett showed out in the finals. Her mark qualified her as the third fastest time among 41 competitors.
The finals had a peculiar lineup.
Lane 1 - University of Oklahoma
Lane 2 - University of Oklahoma
Lane 3 - University of Oklahoma
Lane 4 - University of Oklahoma
Lane 5 - Eastern New Mexico University
Lane 6 - University of Oklahoma
Surrounded by a pack of Sooners, Scarlett did not let the competition faze her. Instead, she reversed the course and won the race. Her 7.46s not only gave her her first collegiate victory, it broke the school record in the short sprint.
Ambrosia Francis competed in her first meet for ENMU along with New Mexican, Riley Midgett. Francis finished 23rd with an 8.1s sprint, Midgett was 27th posting an 8.22s run, and returner
Malia Sanchez was 31st at 8.39s.
Maritza Alvarez represented the Greyhounds in the mile. She competed in her first indoor meet as a Hound and finished in 5:27.10 to take second overall.
The event layout made the 200m, 400m, 600y, and 4x400 more challenging compared to other indoor tracks. That's why getting an early look at the facility helps the Greyhounds in the long run.
Three student-athletes competed in the 400m.
Minerva Cerda-Hernandez (1:03.22),
Savannah Romero (1:04.84), and Mariana Marquez (1:05.57), had the difficult task of managing the tight turns of the J.D. Martin Invitational track twice. Respectively, the group finished 7th, 10th, and 12th.
A trio of Greyhounds finished one after another in the 600y, a race unique to certain events. Returner
Meghan Rodriguez moved at a high pace finishing in fourth with a 1:32.04. Helena Carboo-Klutsey clocked in at 1:33.46 to take fifth, and
Alisha Hayde strided across the finish line in sixth, 1:36.26.
The 200m showcased an extremely tough field as freshman Ambrosia Francis took thirteenth (27.34s) and
Malia Sanchez finished twentieth (28.32s).
Two ENMU 4x400 teams took the track tonight. One squad (Rodriguez, Scarlett, Carboo-Klutsey, and Hayde) finished fifth and another (Midgett, Cerda-Hernandez, Romero, and Marquez) crossed in ninth.
It was a record type of day in the weight throw as both Hounds hit top personal marks in Norman.
Tamia Smith continues to find strides during her graduate season taking sixth after a 14.31m (46-11.5) toss. Her teammate
Jha'Niah Johnson is making note as one of the most improved as she easily cleared a personal record at 12.50m (41-0.25).
Smith took fourth in the shot put (13.32m) and sophomore
Kennedy Ulmer earned an eighth place finish to start the season at 12.38m in an event that featured strong throwers from across the region.
The jumps crew saw success when it mattered the most during the meet. Newcomer Celina Thomas took full advantage of the finals in the triple jump going 11.26m (36-11.5) to win the event. Sophomore
Ashlynn Evans takes seventh at 10.12m (33-2.5).
The long jump saw a second place finish coming on an impressive opening jump from first-year Greyhound Jodian Stewart with a 5.42m (17-9.5).
Ashlynn Evans snuck into the finals at ninth on a 5.1m (16-8.75) leap. Celina Thomas rounded out with a 4.8m (15-9) result.
Cerda-Hernandez also competed in the pole vault. She cleared 2.85m (9-4.25) on her first attempt to take second place in the event.
"I believe this weekend was extremely important for our women's team," said Harden when reflecting on the day. "It gave our team a great understanding on where we are headed going into Christmas break."
Eastern New Mexico will now prepare for the 2024 portion of the indoor season beginning in January. The Greyhounds are slated to go to meets hosted by Northern Arizona, University of New Mexico, Washburn, and Pittsburg State.
