South Plains track and field dazzles against Div. I field at John Jacobs Invitational in Norman

NORMAN—The South Plains College track and field teams concluded their fifth meet of the outdoor season over the weekend at the 48th annual John Jacobs Invitational on the campus of the University of Oklahoma.

The Texans entered the meet ranked second in the country in the latest national polls, while the Lady Texans came in ranked third in the NJCAA. South Plains once again held its own against a field of Div. I schools including Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wichita State.

Freshman Laquan Nairn soared 25' 3.25" in the men's long jump to begin the afternoon with a second place finish for the Texans. Saahir Bethea also earned a top five finish with a mark of 24' 3.5". Sophomore Adrian Williams fought a tough wind and earned a third place finish in the men's javelin with a throw of 193' 6".

Junior Charles, Jordan Atkinson, Okeen Williams and Montel Hood used a final time of 3:10.04 in the men's 4x400 relay to take second overall. Rayan Holmes would then post a time of 52.11 in the men's 400 hurdles meters to earn the freshman a third place finish, while William Watson would take fifth in the men's 110 hurdles with a time of 14.49.

Charles crossed the line at 47.57 in the men's 400 meters to take third, while Robert Downs Jr. earned a sixth place finish in the men's 800 meters with a time of 1:53.42. Atkinson would go on to earn a sixth place finish in the men's 200 meters with his time of 21.38.

The Lady Texans' Natassha McDonald took first in the women's 400 meters with a dazzling time of 53.94. Mauricia Prieto also earned a top five finish in the 400 with her fourth place finish and final time of 55.77. Omotayo Abolaji posted a time of 11.82 in the women's 100 meters to take sixth, while Safia Bright earned a ninth place finish in the women's 200 meters with a time of 24.73.

The Lady Texans' 4x400 relay team comprised of Latriceia Smith, Prieto, McDonald and Agnes Abrocquah took third with their time of 3:45.95. Melody Korie would then earn a second place finish in the long jump with a mark of 20' 4.25".

With two meets left before nationals, the Lady Texans have compiled 38 national qualifying marks to date, while the Texans currently hold 35 national qualifying marks. South Plains will be back in action on Thursday, April 27 when they travel to Abilene for the ACU Twilight. Full results from the weekend can be found by visiting spctexans.com.