#6 men's track and field improves three NJCAA marks at NAU Tune-up; #21 women better one
Flagstaff, AZ – In the final meet before the NJCAA Indoor National Championships the Mesa track and field team added four either brand new or improved performances at the NAU Tune-Up Friday.
The biggest story for the sixth-ranked MCC men was in the weight throw. Nikaeus Hale-Mercer, currently ranked eighth nationally in the event, used his final chance to add his name to the national qualifying list with a toss of 52-7 ¼. In the same event Cameron Lewis (No. 3) unleased a toss that was more than two feet better than his previous qualifying mark, reaching 57-3 ½. Lewis also recorded a 50-8 in the shot (No. 9) put but already has a better mark. Hale-Mercer (No. 6) also exceeded the standard in the shot but also possesses a longer distance of 54-0.
In the pole vault Kyle Downey, top-ranked in the country, improved his mark to 16-6 ¾ heading into nationals.
Antwan Ross-Jones (No. 11) equaled his performance in the high jump at 6-8 ¾.
In the women's pole vault Miranda Worthern upped her NJCAA performance to 10-6 ¾, ninth in the nation. Justice Angel (No. 6) cleared the same height but already has a 10-11 ¾ to her credit. The MCC women are currently No. 21 in the nation.
The T-Birds will now prepare for nationals March 2-3 in Lubbock, Texas.