Broncbusters Shine in Levelland with Record, National Qualifier Efforts

Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics

LEVELLAND, Texas – Garden City Community College Track and Field turned in a strong all-around performance Friday at the South Plains College Alumni Elite Invitational, highlighted by a national qualifier, a school record, and multiple podium finishes.

On the men's side, Marius Delchard delivered one of the top performances of the meet, hitting the NJCAA national qualifying standard in the 1500 meters with a personal-best time of 3:58.54 to place sixth overall.

Garden City saw several top-three finishes, including Daniel Aboagye, who placed third in the 800 meters, and Anesu Makuwatsine, who took third in the 400-meter hurdles with a personal-best 53.31. Travis Hollins added a third-place finish in the long jump.

In the throws, Eyona Mangumta led the way, winning the shot put with a personal-best mark of 13.73 meters while also placing sixth in both the hammer throw (48.76m, PR) and discus (season best). Kadan Ponder added a third-place finish in the shot put and a ninth-place showing in the discus.

The Broncbusters recorded numerous personal bests across the track. Andreas Laursen placed sixth in the 800 meters with a personal-best 1:53.77, while Jerome Anderson set new marks in both hurdle events, clocking 16.62 in the 110-meter hurdles and 57.39 in the 400-meter hurdles. Brayan Herrera-Ramirez added personal records in both the 800 (2:05.71) and 1500 (4:13.47).

Field event highlights included Israel Alexander, who posted a personal-best 6.46 meters in the long jump to place fourth and matched his PR in the high jump (1.87m). Jon Woods cleared a personal-best 1.87 meters in the high jump to finish fifth and added a PR in the 400 meters (51.21).

Additional contributions came from Isaac Orellana (hammer throw PR, 42.10m), Thaddaeus Rotich (fifth, 5000m), and Mekhi Goitia (200m PR, 22.75). Collegiate debuts were recorded by Alex Deloach (800m) and Garren McAfee (high jump, long jump).

Garden City's relay teams also turned in strong efforts, with the 4x100-meter relay placing fourth behind the quartet of Goitia, Hollins, Alexander, and Camari Weaver. The 4x400-meter relay team of Aboagye, Carson Schmidt, Laursen, and Landen Leonard also finished fourth.

On the women's side, Meryeme Mai headlined the day with a record-breaking performance in the 1500 meters, placing second overall with a school-record and personal-best time of 4:33.03.

Reid Harvey-McKean added a runner-up finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase, while Marshea Fisher placed fifth in the 400 meters with a personal-best 58.20 and took fourth in the high jump in her collegiate debut (1.53m).

In the field events, Halima Biggs recorded a personal-best 5.24 meters in the long jump to place fifth and added a fourth-place finish in the high jump. Monifa Edwards placed sixth in the shot put and seventh in the hammer throw.

Additional personal bests came from Maritza Romero in the 1500 meters (5:58.79) and Madyson Schreibvogel in the 400 meters (1:00.96).

Next up: The Broncbusters will travel to El Dorado to compete in the Grizzly Gold Invite, hosted by Butler Community College.