PITTSBURG, KAN. – Eastern New Mexico men's track and field started the season on a strong note in the Sunflower State.

"We opened up very well," said head coach Joshua Harden after the meet. "The men came out and left it on the track."

A school record was set by freshman hurdler Strahinja Radakovic. The native of Serbia blazed through the 60m hurdles with a 8.20s mark. Two other freshmen competed in the 60m hurdles and posted top-five marks in school history. Braden Mounyo finished the race in 8.61s and his teammate, Jonathon Pipes, followed closely in 8.78s.

"It was a solid run," stated Harden when asked about Radakovic's school record. "Something we were working for and something we were expecting."

The short sprint group carried the momentum with quick times in the 60m. Newcomer Nicolo Salaris (7.00s) finished in the top-30 among a field of 122 competitors. Multis specialist Hemon Joseph (7.09s) competed in the event. Radakovic followed-up his school record performance with a 7.15s mark. Lastly, Greyhound returner John Magee (7.18s) earned a personal best time in the event.

ENMU saw some notable performances in the mid-distance events. Kyler Joe (49.51s), Elijah Davis (50.22s), and Byron Pruitt (50.85s) competed in the 400m. Pruitt's time is his best in the event.

The 800m crew placed high in a tight field. Thomas Aerdts posted a top-ten nod in the 800m with a 1:56.25 time. His teammate, Brian Norton, nearly placed in the top-ten with a time of 1:57. 52.

Eastern New Mexico had two jumpers participate in the meet. Ramon Laguana set the fourth best mark in ENMU school history with a 12.70m (41-8) leap in the triple jump. Hemon Joseph nearly made the finals in the long jump as his best leap went 6.99m (22-11.25).

Representing the throws crew was Noe Ybaben Burciaga and Kooper Ellis. Ybaben Burciaga threw 13.56m (44-6) in the weight throw to place in the top-20. The Greyhound junior earned a 12.67m (41-6.75) mark in the shot put. Ellis had his best throw ever in the weight throw going 12.60m (41-4).

Head coach Joshua Harden emphasized that this meet proved to be an excellent star to the season and sets the Greyhounds up for the upcoming winter break before competition continues in early January 2025.

GREYHOUND RESULTS
Weight Throw – 32 Competitors
Noe Ybaben Burciaga – 13.56m (44-6) – 19th
Kooper Ellis – 12.60m (41-4) – 24th *PR*
Shot Put – 32 Competitors
Noe Ybaben Burciaga – 12.67m (41-6.75) – 26th
Long Jump – 32 Competitors
Hemon Joseph – 6.99m (22-11.25) – 10th
Triple Jump – 19 Competitors
Ramon Laguana – 12.70m (41-8) – 12th
60H – 53 Competitors
Strahinja Radakovic – 8.20s – 13th
Braden Mounyo – 8.61s – 28th
Jonathon Pipes – 8.78s – 32nd
60 – 122 Competitors
Nicolo Salaris – 7.00s – 30th
Hemon Joseph – 7.09s – 51st
Strahinja Radakovic – 7.15s – 57th
John Magee – 7.18s – 61st *PR*
200 – 71 Competitors
Nicolo Salaris – 22.13s – 15th
400 – 52 Competitors
Kyler Joe – 49.51s – 13th
Elijah Davis – 50.22s – 23rd
Byron Pruitt – 50.85s – 28^th *PR*
800 – 58 Competitors
Thomas Aerdts – 1:56.25 – 7th
Brian Norton – 1:57.52 – 13th
4x400 – 46 Competitors
Kyler Joe, Byron Pruitt, Brian Norton, and Thomas Aerdts - 3:24.01 - 20th