HOBBS, N.M. – New Mexico State track and field opened its run at the Ross Black Invitational hosted by New Mexico Junior College on Friday. The Aggies began the two-day meet at the Ross Black Field of Champions with impressive performances during the first day of competition.
 
In the 100m preliminaries, Lashira Tremble ran 11.84 to take third in the event. Lanie Whelpley was the top Aggie finisher in the 200m, placing sixth with a time of 25.19. Keosha Sanders took ninth in the event preliminaries, finishing with a time of 25.90
 
Camira Haughton claimed first in the 400m, clocking in at 54.77 for the race. Moselle De Los Santos (58.33) and Takiyah Johnson (58.40) came in third and fourth, respectively, for the event. In the 800m, Elizabeth Mendoza ran 2:23.43 to place fifth.
 
In the 5,000m, Michaela Romero came in second when she posted a time of 18:53.68, Following closely behind in fourth was Francis Hernandez, who clocked in at 19:34.55.
 
Arniesha Mitchell took home second in the 100m hurdles preliminaries when she clocked in with a time of 14.64. Hannah Smith posted a mark of 5.62m (18-5.25) to take fifth in the long jump.
 
In the hammer throw, Taniya Mitchell came away with the first-place finish and a new personal best when she threw 58.42m (191-8). The throw ranks second in the New Mexico State record books. Alyssa Watkins took second with a mark of 51.25m (168-2) and Emily Hernandez followed in third with a mark of 49.43m (162-2). Bristol O'Connor (48.94m; 160-7) finished in fourth while Yemisi Oroyinyin (48.64m; 159-7) and Kylie Pollard (47.81m; 156-10) placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Sam Ponds was the top NM State thrower in the discus, placing second overall, first collegiately, with a personal-best throw of 43.24m (141-10). O'Connor (42.95m; 140-11) and Pollard (34.92m; 114-7) finished in third and eighth, respectively.
 
On Saturday, competition begins with the triple jump at 11 a.m. MT. Fans can follow along with the live results at Heartland Timing.