New Mexico Proves Mettle at GSW

Colorado's Riley Cooney and New Mexico's Crissey Amberg strain for the finish of the 800; Cooney took the win by less than a quarter of second. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Each year, the Great Southwest Classic comes to the UNM track stadium. Each year, it brings in some of the nation's top talent. There have been years that New Mexico has struggled to hold its own against that influx of talent. This wasn't one of those years.

Placing finishes for the New Mexico contingent came across the spectrum of events. There was Crissey Amberg's valiant effort down the finish straight of the 800 that ended with a second. There were Jenna Thurman's third in the mile and fourth in the 3200. Zhianna Flores came home with a fifth in an absolutely loaded girls 300 hurdles field. 

In the girls field events, Lindsey Larsen claimed fourth in the high jump with a clearance of 5-6. Jazmine Chosa snared fifth in the shot put with a heave of 40-even. And, Akuadasuo Ezenyilimba and Katie Hegarty paired for a 3-4 finish in the discus where winds constantly toyed with the flights of the implements. Kayli Farmer hung on for a sixth-place finish in the javelin.

Zach Johnson scorced a wind-aided 10.49 to finish fith in the elite 100. He would come back in the evening with another wind-aided 21.46 to take sixth in the elite 200. New Mexico's overall highlight of the day probably came in the 3200, where Luis Martinez toyed with the field for six-and-a-half laps before taking over and opening a 20-meter lead on second over the final 600 meters. 

Mustafa Mudada ran a nice 14.25 (+3.3) for fourth in the 110 hurdles, and then trumped that with a 37.25 for second in the 300 hurdles. 

Mike Budick threw 158-11 for sixth in the discus, but it was the javelin that provided the field event highlight for the New Mexico boys. Malik Matthews-Gordon (photo, left, by Alan Versaw), Nik Aston, and Tanner Kattenhorn went 3-4-6 with throws ranging from 164 to 170 feet. Matthews-Gordon, only a sophomore this season, could be hunting a title in the event next year.

For most New Mexico high school athletes, the Great Southwest Classic ends the competitive season, though a few may go on to other meets. As always, the GSW was a great measuring stick for what New Mexico athletes have accomplished during the season.

Complete Results, Photos, and Video