Albuquerque, New Mexico - Sending a select squad to compete against a field featuring NCAA Division I programs New Mexico State and the University of New Mexico, as well as conference rival Adams State, the New Mexico Highlands women's track and field team utilized the weekend to sharpen individual performances and improve conference qualifying marks.
While several segments of the roster, including the throwing corps, rested in preparation for the heart of the outdoor season, the "Cowgirl" contingent at UNM produced several lifetime bests and high-ranking conference marks.
Distance and Mid-Distance Highlights
In the 1500m,
Summer Abeyta delivered one of the standout performances of the meet. Abeyta cut nearly six seconds off her previous collegiate best, clocking an altitude-adjusted time of 4:52.8. The performance is particularly significant as it moves her into a qualifying position for the RMAC Outdoor Championships—a notable feat given the perennial depth of distance running within the conference.
Senior
Jewels Leslie continued her momentum in her final outdoor campaign. Leslie captured an individual victory in the 3000m with a personal-best time of 10:46. Although the 3000m is not a contested event at the outdoor conference championship, head coach
Bob DeVries called it "speedwork" for the Cowgirl veteran.
"Summer's run in the 1500m was a standout. Dropping six seconds to put herself in an RMAC qualifying position is a difficult task in such a distance-heavy conference," said Coach DeVries. "Jewels 3k race is designed to make the 10k pace feel easier."
Jumps and Multi-Events
Freshman
Allyssa Casaus made a significant improvement in the triple jump. Casaus surpassed the 11-meter mark twice during the finals, improving her collegiate best by over 18 inches. Her mark moves her into the top 10 on the current RMAC performance list.
In the long jump,
Rojrika Campbell opened her outdoor season with a best leap of 5.63 meters. The mark moved her into the third position in the RMAC rankings.
"For Allyssa to improve her best by over a foot-and-a-half and move into the conference top 10 as a freshman is a huge step forward. Rojrika also looked strong in her opener. Coach (Chisom) Obioha is doing some good work there," noted DeVries.
Freshman heptathlete
Lucia Burba also showcased her progress, recording new collegiate bests in two events. Burba clocked a 15.8 in the 100m hurdles and posted a mark of 10.77m in the shot put, bolstering her scoring projection for the heptathlon as the season unfolds.
Up Next
The Cowgirls will take a scheduled break from competition next week to focus on training. The team will return to action April 9-11 at the Jo Meaker Invitational, hosted by West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas.
