Thunderbirds score 107 points at National Meet and finish as runner-up

Published by New Mexico AD on May 20th, 2016

It came down to the final event of the NJCAA National Championship meet as NMCJ and Central Arizona were tied for second place with 97 points a piece. Both teams qualified their 4x400m relay team for the final.

After the first leg of the relay, the result was never in question and Central Arizona never challenged, as the relay team made up of Jahneya Mitchell,Christine Moss, Kayelle Clarke and Quadaisha Newkirk ran a blistering 3:37.37 good enough to win the event and secure the NJCAA National Runner-up.

Iowa Central won the meet with 148 points.

Prior to the 4x400m relay team blazing up the track, Kayelle Clark won the 200m with an Olympic qualifying time of 23.16.

In the 400m final, the Thunderbirds swept the top three spots as Newkirk ran 53.53 to claim the national title and set a new school record. Mitchell (54.02) and Moss (54.51) finished second and third respectively to finish as All-Americans.

Also claiming a National Title for the Thunderbirds in the Triple Jump was Latavia Coombs who battled leg cramps to get in one jump in the prelims and had a leap of 42'1/2" on her second attempt of finals to claim the title. Indoor National Champion, Tamara Moncrieffe finished third with a jump of 40'8 3/4" and Hanifah Abdul-Qadir finished in fourth with her jump of 40'2 1/4".

Natioanl Championship meet top finishers results below: