Lone Star Conference Indoor Track and Field athletes have recorded three NCAA Division II Automatic qualifying marks (3 men) and 24 provisional efforts (20 men, four women). See the LSC performance list here:
https://www.tfrrs.org/lists/3209.html.
The 2021 LSC Indoor Track and Field Championships will be held at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas on February 20-21.
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
MEN’S TRACK
Benjamin Azamati, West Texas A&M, SO, Animal Science, Akim Oda, Ghana
Azamati had one of the most impressive performances in WT history on Saturday at the Corky Classic as he broke the school and Lone Star Conference record in the 60-meter dash. After running 6.65 in the prelims, the sophomore returned to the track to finish second in the final with the fifth-fastest time in the world, 6.60. That is also the seventh-fastest time in NCAA Division II history and the second-fastest time in the event since 2003.
MEN’S FIELD
Ushan Perera, Texas A&M-Commerce, FR, Construction Engineering, Mahabage, Sri Lanka, Maris Stella College
The A&M-Commerce men's high jump school record was shattered by freshman Ushan Perera at the Crimson & Gold Invitational, as he claimed an automatic spot at the national championships at 7-3 (2.21m). His mark was one centimeter outside of the all-time top 10 in Division II and three centimeters short of the Sri Lankan national record and he cleared every bar on the first attempt. This was Perera's first meet as a collegian.
WOMEN’S TRACK
Florance Uwajeneza, West Texas A&M, JR, Nursing, St. Paul, Minn.
Uwajeneza had a strong opener this past weekend at the Corky Classic including a victory over the mile with one of the fastest times in program history. The junior made a strong move with 600 meters to pull away from Baylor’s Celia Holmes and cross the finish line with the third-fastest time ever by a Lady Buff, 5:03.97. She would later return to the track to finish second in the 3,000-meteres with the second-fastest time in program history, 10:11.38.
WOMEN’S FIELD
Flore Gracia, West Texas A&M, JR, General Business, France
Gracia ranks first in the nation in the triple jump after her fifth-place finish at the Corky Classic at Texas Tech. The junior provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division II with her jump of 40-9 (12.42m) on her fourth attempt of the competition.
WEEKLY AWARDS
Men’s Track
J-21 Benjamin Azamati, West Texas A&M
Men’s Field
J-21 Ushan Perera, Texas A&M-Commerce
Women’s Track
J-21 Florance Uwajeneza, West Texas A&M
Women’s Field
J-21 Flore Gracia, West Texas A&M
SELECTED NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Lamarion Arnold, Texas A&M-Commerce, excelled in the sprints at the Crimson & Gold Invitational, earning two event wins, two provisional qualifying marks, and top three national times in both events. In the 200-meter dash, he crossed the line in 21.24 seconds, which ranks second nationally. In the 60-meter dash, he notched a time of 6.82 seconds, which ranks third nationally. Arnold was a 200 meter All-American in the 2020 indoor season.
Noah Metzger, DBU, set a new school record in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:19.12 at the Crimson & Gold Invitational in Pittsburg, Kansas. Metzger finished in third place and his time is a NCAA provisional qualifier.
Ray Dixon, West Texas A&M, broke his own school record in the weight throw on Saturday afternoon at the Corky Classic hosted by Texas Tech. He finished fifth and had five throws over the previous record including his mark of 59-2.25 (18.04m) on the sixth attempt of the competition. He also finished sixth in the shot put with a personal best toss of 52-7.25 (16.03m).
Madison Brown, DBU, won the 3,000 meters at the Crimson & Gold Invitational in Pittsburg, Kansas, clocking a personal record time of 10:05.84. The Lady Patriots' sophomore dominated the competition, winning the race by 20.47 seconds over the next closest finisher. Brown's win marked her first career victory in the 3,000 meters.