New Personal Bests and More Top-Ten Finishes at Texas Tech Open

LUBBOCK–Westerner Track garnered personal best and more top-ten finishes at this past weekend’s Texas Tech Open, January 28-29, 2022.

Sophomore Niesha Burgher started the meet securing a personal record in the 60 meter. Her time of 7.74 qualified her for the NJCAA Indoor National Championships.

Shadae Findley and Sancia Smith place 6^th and 7^th overall in the 600 meter, respectively. Findley won her heat, and Smith finished just behind her. Both athletes rank in the top 10 for NJCAA.

A trio of men placed in the top 8 for the 600 meter. Sophomore Ethan Smith led the team with a 3^rd place finish, a new personal record while improving on his National Ranking in the event. Freshman Antonio Blair realized a personal record by placing 4^h and qualified for NJCAA Indoor Nationals. Sophomore Lee Steward completed the group with a 7^th place finish.

Saturday morning. Findley placed 9^th overall in the 800 meters. She ran a new Indoor personal record of 2:16.81. Smith placed right outside of the top 10 in the 800 meters. Sophomore Latifah Pinnock captured a new Indoor personal record for the 800 meters.

Freshman Teresa Gallegos accomplished a new Indoor personal record of 5:36.44 for the 1 mile. On the men’s side, Sophomore Wesley Wright ran a new lifetime best for the 1 mile, and Sophomore Adan Jonguitu ran a season record.

Ivan Marquez finished off the meet with a new personal record in the 3,000 meters. He improved 5 seconds from two weeks ago.

Top 10 Finishes

Ethan Smith – 600 meters – 1:18.86
Antonio Blair – 600 meters – 1:18.96
Lee Steward – 600 meters – 1:22..42
Shadae Findley – 600 meters – 1:35.89
Sancia Smith – 600 meters – 1:36.32

Final Results: https://www.tfrrs.org/results/72336/Texas_Tech_Open_&_Multis/