ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico track & field team registered a number of solid marks against tremendous competition as it opened the Don Kirby Elite Invitational on Friday in the Albuquerque Convention Center.
With the Mountain West Championships in less than two weeks, the Lobos continued to gain experience during the opening day of the Don Kirby, posting a handful of strong results versus a field that featured seven top-25 teams.
The Lobos’ field events produced some strong marks to kick off the meet, including Amaris Blount setting a new collegiate best for the third straight week. After reaching a new best the previous two weeks, Blount unleashed a toss of 58 feet, 6 ½ inches (17.84 meters) to place ninth overall.
Along with her results from the previous two meets, Blount now owns five of the top six throws in New Mexico history.
The men’s long jumpers also fared well Friday in the elite, invitational section of the event. Yannick Roggatz soared 24-7 ½ (7.50m) for sixth place, while Allan Hamilton finished with a mark of 24-3 (7.39m) for seventh place. In the open section of the long jump, Ryan Chase claimed sixth place with a mark of 23-6 (7.16m).
New Mexico’s distance team also tallied solid marks, with five top-10 finishers between the men’s and women’s 3000-meter run. Zac Castillo led off with a fourth-place time of 8 minutes, 31.14 seconds in the men’s section.
He was closely followed by Dan Milechman (seventh place, 8:38.87), Tyler Valdez (eighth, 8:52.33) and Jesus Mendoza (8:52.55). For the women, Lindsey Andrews ran 10:26.88 for eighth place.
David Banwell-Clode added a solid time in the 600, crossing the line in 1:22.22.
A number of the other track events were preliminary rounds, with a handful of Lobos advancing to compete in Saturday’s semifinals.
Holly Van Grinsven qualified for the semifinals in the women’s 60 hurdles as she placed ninth overall in the opening round with a time of 8.49 seconds.
On the men’s side, Ridge Jones moved on in the 60 dash with season-best time of 6.79, and Parker Jones advanced in the 60 hurdles with a season-best time of 8.54.
The Lobos return to the Albuquerque Convention Center Saturday for the second day of the Don Kirby Elite Invitational. The meet resumes at 10 a.m. MT with the women’s shot put, while action on the track starts at 10:45 a.m. with the men’s 60 hurdle semifinals.
Check back tomorrow at GoLobos.com for a full recap and complete results of Saturday’s New Mexico action.