2/25/2022 | Track & Field 

LUBBOCK, TEXAS – Several Greyhounds set personal bests at the 2022 Lone Star Conference Championship on Friday afternoon, including a broken school record, and two podium finishes. After the first day of competition, Eastern New Mexico women’s team is in 4th with 21 points, and Eastern New Mexico men’s program are 9th with five points.

Aminata Kenyawani highlighted the day with a second-place finish in the 5000-meter run with a time of 18.08.24, a new personal best. The time marked the third fastest time in program history. Just following behind, Dorcas Kosgei clocked personal best 19.01.82 to finish in 6th place an earn three points to the team score.

In the women’s distance medley relay, the Hounds posted a seasons best time of 12:48.03 to take third place. The group of Lethabo Seema, Alisha Hayde, Kaylyn DeLaRosa, and Marta Pascoa picked up the bronze in the DMR. Going into the final leg the Hounds stood in 5th, but Pascoa tracked down Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce to grab a place on the podium.

Arianna Hayde began the day with a fifth-place finish in the long jump, with a leap of 5.49m (18′ 0.25″). The jump is a season best for Hayde and is second in the program records for the event.

Japhet Toroitich registered a personal best in the 400-meter run, with a time of 48.69. Toroitich won his qualifying heat, and was landed in the 6th overall moving on to the finals tomorrow. The time of 48.69 broke a school record that was previously held by Ivar Moinat in 2019.

Malethabo Seema advanced into the finals of the 800-meter run after posting the fastest time of all competitors. The clock read 2:18.98 after crossing the line, with M.Seema winning her heat.

In the men’s 800-meter run, Dan Hurren posted a season best with a time of 1:56.45 and Devis Cheruiyot crossed the line with a mark of 1:56.19. Both just missed qualification to the finals, with Hurren placing in 10th and Cheruiyot placing in 9th.

Kelvin Kipkemboi made his mark in the men’s 5000-meter run, crossing the line in sixth place with a time of 15:19.28. Kipkemboi earned three points in team scoring for the Hounds.

The men’s distance medley relay posted a season best time of 11:00.97, and set a mark of 4th in the program record books. The DMR team for the men was Cheruiyot, Mohamed Magano, Hurren, and Toroitich.

Additionally, Tamia Smith finished 11th in the weight throw with a toss of 14.05. Paige Graham posted a mark of 2.93 in the pole vault.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Great performance all around for day one” said Head Track & Field Coach Jeff Kavalunas. “A lot of PR’s and a school record! The podium finish for Ami (Kenyawani) was great and another great performance by (Marta) Pascoa to anchor the DMR to a podium finish also. Big Green Trian was rolling today” said Kavalunas.

The 2022 Lone Star Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships wrap up on Saturday.