Meet Results / WT Performance Chart

*All times stand with possibility of altitude and/or track size conversion when considered for national qualification (Albuquerque, N.M. 4,958 ft.)
 
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A trip to the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championship was very likely for several members of the West Texas A&M men's and women's track & field teams heading into the weekend; however, two athletes now have sure bids to the big stage after earning automatic qualifiers on Saturday in Albuquerque. Sophomore Malika Ouedraogo and junior Lorenzo Johnson punched their tickets in what was a very successful afternoon for the Buffs and No. 24 Lady Buffs in the final day of the New Mexico Collegiate Classic.
 
Ouedraogo, last year's indoor national runner-up in Winston Salem, N.C., got things started on Saturday with a 12.54m (41'-1.75") triple jump in Albuquerque. That finished her ninth in the competition consisting of many DI athletes but now ranks her third in the nation in the DII ranks.
 

On the track, Johnson, this week's LSC Track Athlete of the Week, was the one to own the day as he earned an automatic qualifier in the men's 60m hurdles. For the third-straight meet, he broke a school hurdle record and with his 7.80 time today, takes down the Lone Star Conference record. The mark was previously held at 7.88 by WT's Cameron LaCour. Johnson grabbed the time in the final heat today, finishing him third overall. His time now leads the LSC and places him second among the national ranks.
 
"Today was a much better representation of what this team is capable of," explained head coach Darren Flowers. "We are starting to come together more and more each week. Our goal this week and next is to set ourselves up for the NCAA and LSC Championships and put ourselves in a position to do something special. At this point, we just have to keep showing up ready to work every day."
 
Five additional new or improved provisional marks were set by WT on Saturday. On the men's side, senior Tommy Curry grabbed one with a 6.86 in the 60m dash. Also on the track was junior Michael Schaefer who ran 1:53.32* in the 800m and senior Arnau Erta who went 8.01 behind Johnson in the 60mH. Both finished fifth in their events. Finally, in the field, junior Benoit Nadin cleared 14.76m in his triple jump to bump up his provisional mark. He also placed fifth in the competition.
 
The final provisional of the day was set by the Lady Buffs' 4x400m relay team, consisting of seniors Sharon Kwarula and Rhemecka Graham and juniors Alba Casanovas and Shanice Cameron. The squad finished 13^th overall with a time of 3:49.51.
 
Additional top-eight finishes on Saturday for the Buffs included freshman Geoffrey Kipchumba (fifth, mile), junior Armando Rueda (eighth, mile), junior Zach Weatherly (fourth, SP), and the 4x400m relay team of junior Damien Bourguin, sophomore Junior Baca, senior Jerell Banks and Curry (sixth).
 

Also cracking the top-eight individually for the Lady Buffs was Kwarula in the 60mH, finishing fourth in the final heat.
 
Day One Recap (Friday)
 
The Buffs and Lady Buffs wrapped up the first day of the UNM Classic on Friday. Highlighting the individual performances on the night were junior Damien Bourguin, who set a new school record in the 600m, and senior Kemarki Absalom who set a provisional mark in the men's long jump.
 
Though not a qualifying event for postseason competition, Bourguin's time in the 600m race cut over three seconds off the previous mark set four years ago by Martin Puga in Albuquerque. Bourgouin finished 11^th overall with a time of 1:20.85.
 
Grabbing the lone provisional mark of the day was Absalom in the men's long jump field. He finished 11^th as well with a 7.16m jump.
 
Also grabbing a top-eight finish on day one was Weatherly, who finished eighth in the weight throw competition with a 16.39m mark.
 
WT will return to action next weekend, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14. Part of the Buff and Lady Buff teams will be heading back to Albuquerque for the Don Kirby Collegiate Open & Elite Invitational while other athletes will be making the trip to Allendale, Mich. to compete in the GVSU Big Meet, hosted by Grand Valley State University. Check back with www.GoBuffsGo.com in the days leading up the meets for additional information and follow @WTAMUTrackXC on Twitter for the latest updates.