Suarez Breaks 60m Record in 1st Race with T-Birds

Gabriela Anahi Suarez broke the school record in the 60m as the Thunderbird women's track & field team competed at the UNM Collegiate Classic Feb. 6-7 in Albuquerque, NM.

Anahi Suarez recorded a 7.28 in her first collegiate race this weekend, blazing her way to the current No. 2 spot in the NJCAA. The previous T-Bird record was 7.36 set by Krystal Sparling in 2017.

The women ended the meet with five new national qualifying standards and five improved qualifiers. 

January newcomer Motlatsi Rante had a great showing in her second meet with the T-Birds. The freshman sprinter ran a 55.52 in the 400m to nationally qualify and rank No. 3 in the NJCAA this year for the event.  

Sophomore Amal Kachouri eclipsed the national standard in the mile with her time of 5:01.72. The finish is No. 3 in the NJCAA for the event. 

Yididiya Bifa was right behind her in the race with a 5:01.88, which currently ranks No. 5 in the NJCAA for the mile. The Ethiopian improved on her qualifying time by 8.05 seconds. Ines Mrabet was the other improved qualifier in the mile. She bested her previous time by 5.30 seconds to run a 5:15.06. The finish is ranked No. 12 in the NJCAA.   

Nalicia Glen had a solid performance in the 60m and the 200m this weekend. The sophomore sprinter was an improved qualifier in the 200m running a 24.41. She improved on her previous qualifying time by .29 seconds which moves her into the No. 9 spot in the NJCAA. Glen nationally qualified in the 60m as well with a time of 7.68.

Sophomore Tuwana McLean met the national standard in the 200m with a finish of 24.47. The time is No. 12 in the NJCAA for the event. 

Now over to the field side. 

Athilia Pryce continued her impressive start to the indoor season in the weight throw. The sophomore thrower recorded a 17.42m toss which improved on her previous national mark by .61m. The throw is now No. 4 in the NJCAA for the event.

Gabriella Tcheukam kept the improved qualifier trend going for the weight throw with a 15.44m toss. She bested her previous throw by .06m and now moves into the No. 11 spot for the weight. 

The Thunderbirds climb to No. 3 in the USTFCCCA Track & Field Women's Indoor Rating Index.

The T-Birds next meet is Feb. 13-14 in Lubbock, Texas at the Jarvis Scott Invite.