Drake and Wharton Win on First Day of NM Collegiate Classic
FRIDAY RESULTS (PDF)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The University of New Mexico had two event winners on the first day of the NM Collegiate Classic, and even better, they were two different winners than in previous meets. Additionally, one came in a field event and one came on the track.
Max Wharton claimed the 600-meter run over fellow Lobo Kristian Hansen, winning in 1:18.98 compared to 1:19.37 by Hansen. Friday’s race was the first appearance in the 600-meter for Wharton and was a personal best for Hansen.
Jamari Drake beat out 25 other competitors to take the high jump event, clearing 5-8.50 (1.74m) to win over Abigail Kwarteng of Alabama. Both women cleared the 1.74m height, but the Lobo held the edge on attempts needed to do so, clearing the height on the first try.
UNM placed two in the top three in the event with Ada’ora Chigbo finishing third on a height of 5-7.00 (1.70m).
Overall, the Lobos experienced success across many of the events held at the Albuquerque Convention Center with six finishing in the top four of their events and nine placing in the top seven of their events.
Ben Parmoon ran a 48.87 (48.98) in the 400-meter dash to place fourth with Gavin Sleeter closely behind in seventh at 49.46 (49.57 converted) to tie for seventh.
In the men’s long jump, Tanner Battikha, coming off of being named the MW Male Field Athlete of the Week, was the top collegiate finisher with a personal-best mark of 24-6.50 (7.48m). More impressive was the fact that the senior recorded the mark twice, on both his fifth and sixth attempt. That fat proved to be significant as it gave the Lobo the edge over Texas Tech jumper Justin Hall, who also finished with a best mark of 7.48m. However, when comparing the second-best mark, Battikha edged out the Red Raider 7.48m to 7.44m.
Ryan Chase finished seventh in the event, but the fourth-highest collegiate finisher, on a mark of 24-00.25 (7.32m), which he registered on his fifth attempt.
Also running in the 600-meter for the first time was Elise Thorner, who turned in a 1:33.98 to finish seventh out of 31 runners.
Other results on the afternoon included Carlos Salcido in the 200-meter dash with a 21.57 (21.64 converted) and Cedric Patterson in the 200-meter dash, who finished with a personal-best 21.63 (21.70 converted). Both Lobos in the 400-meter dash recorded personal bests with Lauren Chafins running 58.47 (58.58 converted) and Abigail Bendle running 58.80 (58.91 converted).
The final day of the NM Collegiate Classic begins on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with the men’s “A” pole vault and the women’s shot put. The track events will start at 10 a.m. with the women’s 60-meter hurdles. Saturday’s events will be streamed on FloTrack and live results will be available HERE.
Also taking place on Saturday will be Weini Kelati running in the NYRR Millrose Games in New York, with her 3000-meter race set to begin at 2:39 p.m. MT.