ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico women's track and field took advantage of its trip to the Duke City as they competed at the Don Kirby Invitational Friday evening.
 
One of the best parts of the meet came as a handful of ENMU student-athletes from the Albuquerque metro area were able to compete in front of family and friends.
 
"It was big," said head coach Joshua Harden on the opportunity for some student-athletes from the ABQ metro area to be surrounded by loved ones. "Anytime we can get family support is huge."
 
Three different ENMU student-athletes competed in jumps events. Aeriana Langley took third in the high jump with a 1.49m (4-10.5) finish. Celina Thomas posted a 12^th place nod at 4.92m (16-1.75) in the long jump. She also put up a fifth place nod in the triple jump at 10.92m (35-10) which ranks 14^th among competitors in the Lone Star Conference. Lastly, Minerva Cerda Hernandez placed third in the pole vault with a 3.15m (10-4) clearance.
 
Four Greyhounds appeared in throws events for Eastern New Mexico and a pair threw personal records in their respective events.
 
Tamia Smith improved her school record in the shot put at 14.30m (46-11) and now ranks third among conference competitors. Her teammate Kennedy Ulmer took sixth with a toss of 12.39m (40-7.75).
 
"I think I did amazing," said Smith when asked about her performance. "I have been aiming at getting back to the 14-meter range and getting my personal best was a great feeling and has me pumped for my last outdoor conference in a few weeks."
 
Smith acknowledged the local support after the Don Kirby Tailwind Open.
 
"It was great to see my teammate's families come out and see them compete," said Smith on the support in Albuquerque. "I love seeing Greyhound fans in the crowd."
 
Ulmer set a new personal record in discus at 43.94m (144-2) by taking third in the event. She sits sixth among throwers in the LSC. Samantha Medina (36.00m (118-1)) and Allysun Jones (29.80m (97-9)) also competed in the discus.
 
Five different Albuquerque natives competed in the sprints for ENMU this evening.
 
Riley Midgett now ranks 16^th in the Lone Star Conference after crossing the finish in 12.26s. Her teammate Malia Sanchez crossed just behind her in 12.64s. Sanchez also ran the 200m in 26.21s. 
 
Meghan Rodriguez (1:01.28), Mariana Marquez (1:03.45), and Savannah Romero (1:04.29) posted times in the 400m for Eastern New Mexico. They finished seventh, ninth, and tenth respectively.
 
The tandem of Rodriguez, Marquez, Romero, and Midgett finished the meet for ENMU with a 4:11.57 finish in the 4x400.
 
The program will now look ahead towards next weekend where they will compete at the Corky/Crofoot Shootout in Lubbock, Texas.