Trojan Runners at Washburn Open Qualify for Nationals

The school record list was rearranged over the weekend when the Colby Community College indoor track and field teams competed in Topeka at the Washburn University Open and Multis. Seven Trojans qualified for the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships next month.

"Overall, we had a great track meet," said Trojans Coach Clinton Fletcher. "Our distance athletes reinserted their dominance this week. Our team really needs them to be themselves in order to finish in the top three at the national meet."

The men's team had five national qualifiers. Kgadi Monyebodi ran the 5000m in 14:27.62, a personal record that is fourth in Colby history. Nationally, he is ranked first.

In the 3000m, Ricardo Barbosa (8:14.45) and Sanele Masondo (8:15.12) finished first and second at the meet. Barbosa is ranked first, and Masondo is third.

Tom Thierry qualified in two events. He ran the mile in 4:19.56 and clocked a 15:02.48 in the 5000m, where Leandre Lahalle will join him after he posted a 15:11.65.

Other notable performances for the men came from Alzavien Houston, who just missed qualifying in the 400m with a 48.90 but moved to third all-time at Colby. Jaydin Plakaris moved to ninth on the 200m list at Colby with a 22.1, and the 4x400m relay team finished in 3:20.69, the sixth-best at CCC.

For the women, Troynelle Miller qualified in the 60m dash with a time of 7.74, the third-best in school history. Her 200m mark (26.28) is now tied for fifth at Colby.

Emily Dierks punched her ticket to nationals in the 3000 with a 10:27.24 and moved to third in the CCC record book. She is ranked fourth in the nation.

The teams return to Topeka for Washburn's Ichabod Open this weekend before heading to the regional meet on Feb. 17 and 18 in Pittsburg.