LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State returned to outdoor competition on Friday as they partook in the Willie Williams Classic, hosted by the University of Arizona. NM State posted a successful day one, headlined by a school record in Rachel O'Brien's outdoor debut for the Crimson & White – posting a time of 4:21.07 to take first overall. O'Brien was joined by Nia Allison 17:24.66 and Thomas Croshaw (14:15.68), who each tallied first-place finishes and personal best in their 5K's.

Track Headlines
The 200m dash began the afternoon on the track, with Sahara Tasker tallying the top time for NM State, posting a time of 24.03 in her first 200m as an Aggie. Just behind Tasker, Marlee Cavitt (24.22) posted an outdoor best, while Mickaliliah Vassell (24.29) recorded a personal best.

The 3000m steeplechase saw a pair of Aggies compete – Jordan Torres and Murrie Dodge, making her first appearance in the event after training since last season. Torres recorded the top finish, posting a time of 11:31.63, while Dodge crossed the line with a mark of 11:58.33.

In the 1500m, all three NM State finishers produced personal bests, with Rachel O'Brien taking the top spot overall with a time of 4:21.07 to set a school record set in 2022. Nia Allison finished second on the team behind O'Brien, tallying a mark of 4:36.35. Competing in heat two, Angela Korte secured the top finish in her heat with a personal best mark of 4:49.52.

A select group of men's cross country athletes made the trek to Tucson, with the first group competing in the 1500m. True freshman Orion Chavez tallied the top spot for the Crimson & White, posting a time of 4:05.85. Junior and Arizona native Jonah Archer finished with a near personal best with a mark of 4:12.98, while Angel Maese fninished with a time of 4:19.18.

The 5000m run closed the weekend for the Aggies, with Nia Allison claiming the top spot off a massive personal best, taking over two minutes off her previous best to finish with a time of 17:24.66. Khloi Bird finished third overall with a mark of 17:37.44, while Kayla O'Connell (17:38.53) and Trista Cordova (18:10.45) recorded personal bests.

In the men's edition of the 5000m, sophomore Thomas Croshaw posted a personal best and took the top spot in the event with a time of 14:15.68. Arizona transfer Andrew Gibby finished third overall, posting a time of 14:43.39. Jonah Archer tallied a time of 15:50.31 to pace the Aggies in heat two – competing in track & field events for the first time since transferring in from Grand Canyon last summer.

Field Headlines
The javelin began the day for the Aggies, with Bailey Beene advancing to finals with a mark of 43.15m, while Kylie Rubrecht made her Crimson & White debut. Starting shortly afterwards, the hammer throw saw the debut of Samonne Cauley in outdoor competition.

In the long jump – a quintet of Aggies competed – including the outdoor debut of Jaylah McDonnell and Julissa Daniels. McDonnell tallied a major personal best in the event, recording a mark of 5.75m to take second overall. Cameron Hodges joined McDonnell in the finals, taking sixth overall with a mark of 5.60m. Breanna Moss also tallied a personal best on the day with a mark of 5.06m.

The shot put closed NM State's day in field events, with Kamryn Cadle posting a personal best distance of 14.22m – advancing to finals and finishing sixth overall. Cauley was joined in the event by true freshman Ellie Breckenridge, also making her NM state debut – Cauley competed in indoor competition for the Aggies in 2024).

UP NEXT
The Aggies return to action from Drachman Stadium on Saturday, Mar. 22, beginning at approximately 11 a.m. MDT. Fans can follow along with the action at this link.
For complete coverage of NM State Track & Field, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateXCTF), Instagram (@NMStateXCTF), and like us on Facebook (NMStateTrackXC).