On Feb. 28 Texas A&M University-Commerce held a track event on campus. The season opening Lion Quadrangular saw four first place finishers for A&M-Commerce.
Tarleton, Angelo State, Abilene Christian, McMurray University, New Mexico Military, Dallas Baptist, Western Texas, Southwestern University, Hardin Simmons University, West Texas A&M, and University of Dallas all participated.
“Jeff Rayome won first place in the shot put with a national qualifying mark of 16.06 meters or 52’81/4 inches,” track coach Rich Lawrence said. “Brandon Womack won the steeple chase, Lyndon Wyse won first in both the long jump and triple jump with a national qualifying mark of 47’111/4 inches. Leslie White recorded a NCAA provisional mark in the javelin and won the high jump competition.”
Other results include Lashara Jefferson, who got fourth in the women’s discus and also qualified for nationals with a throw of 43.51 meters or 142’9″. Brad Dotson got second in the 400 meter dash, Leslie White got second in the high jump, Kyle Weaver got second in the triple jump. The Lions’ men’s 4×100-meter and 4×400-meter relay teams both finished second.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of especially those who won and qualified,” Lawrence said.
On March 5, the track team competed at the Tarleton State Invitational in Stephenville.
At the tournament, La’Shara Jefferson recorded a NCAA provisional mark in the discus and finished fourth overall. She also had a career-best in the shot put and finished third in that category. Seniors Jeff Rayome and Lyndon Wyse both set NCAA provisional marks for shot put and triple jump respectivley.
The on-campus meet gave A&M-Commerce students a chance to watch their own athletes compete.
“I really appreciate all the help we had with our home track meet from many of the local people,” Lawrence said. “I also want to thank our athletes for a wonderful travel experience to Tarleton. We have really improved our demeanor and travel attitudes over the years and I think this has truly helped our performance.”
A&M-Commerce’s next meet is at the University of Texas at Arlington on March 28.
“We really hope to improve in our running events,” Lawrence.
“We should be getting some athletes back in the distance and running events who have been hurt. With spring break coming up, we should have some time to heal.”