Westerner Track Athletes Qualify for Nationals, Break Records at Season Opener

LUBBOCK—Westerner Track launched their season with National Qualifiers and record breakers at the Texas Tech Corky Classic on January 15 and 16, 2022. The teams finished the meet with seven athletes qualifying for Nationals and nine athletes placing in the top eight of their events. A new school record was set, and two other athletes garnered personal record performances.

The first day of the Classic started strong thanks to the 600-yard group of Sancia Smith, Ethan Smith, and Lee Steward. All three of the athletes hit the National Qualifying marks to earn a trip to Kansas in March. They also all placed in the top eight.

Sophomore Latifah Pinnock captured the 1,000m school record and a 5th place finish in her debut at the event. She nudges Tykeshia Thompson off the school record board. Thompson set the previous record in the spring of 2015. 

Sophomore Niesha Burgher earned a 5th place finish in the 200m (24.81) and qualified for Nationals in the process. Freshman Ivan Marquez and Rogelio Vazquez ended Friday night with two personal best records.

On day two of the Classic, freshman Rushell Johnson kicked off the morning with a 4th place finish in the 1-mile. She almost broke the previous school record in the event but missed it by only 3.22 seconds.

Shadae Findley and Sancia Smith highlighted the meet with their 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the 800m. Findley starts strong this season coming off her 2nd place finish at the 2021 NJCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Smith kicked off her season ranked among the top four in the country in both of her races. Findley and Smith currently rank 2nd and 3rd respectively for the 800m in the U.S.

Freshman Javari Thomas concluded the meet for the Westerners with a 7th place finish (21.57). Javari’s performance also qualified him for Nationals. 

Current NJCAA Indoor Track & Field National Rankings:

Women

200m: Niesha Burgher, 5th

600m: Sancia Smith, 4th

800m: Shadae Findley, 2nd

Sancia Smith, 3rd

Men

200m: Javari Thomas, 7th

600m: Ethan Smith, 2nd

            Lee Steward, 6th