The Great Southwest Classic Indoor is rapidly becoming the little meet that could, only it's not so little any longer.
In probably the most impressive showing for the meet yet, the Great Southwest Indoor produced nine performances that found their ways into national top-50 rankings. Only one of those came from New Mexico, but it's a testimony nevetheless to the growing prestige and impact of the meet.
The 7.47 and 7.58 from teammates Ky Westbrook and Tope Williams out of Chandler, Arizona, certainly found their way into the national rankings, and Westbrook came back for seconds with a 24.57 in the 200. For Westbrook, that meant a US#4 and a US#3.
California's Maddy Price also double-dipped, finding national rankings space at both 200 and 400 meters. But the 400 meters wasn't nearly done. Imani Adams posted a national top 50, and Santa Fe's own Tiffany Garcia snared a national rankings spot at #49, with her 58.54.
For the boys, Nevada's Ivy Dobson went straight to #7 on the 60 meter list with his 6.84. Also out of Nevada, Jackson Carter just barely made the top 50 in the 800.
And there were numerous other notables performances to be had.
For New Mexico, Steven Duran dropped a few hints that his 800 may be not far from prime time with a 2:02 for second. Alamogordo's Mark Haywood took an easy second in the 400 at 51.43. Aaron Valenzuela kept Dajour Braxton honest for a good, long time before falling in the 3200, 10:03 to 10:11. Parker Hibbett and Landon Culbreith went 1-2 in the high jump at 5-10, with hints of bigger jumps ahead.
For New Mexico's girls, Noel Prandoni and Carisma Lovato stood tall with seconds in the 800 and 3200 respectively, while Julie Giannini garnered a third in the 1600 with a 5:22. Sarah Root likely had the biggest outing of any New Mexico athlete, taking third in the 60 hurdles, first in the long jump, and third in the triple jump. Lindsey Larsen added a high jump title at 5-4, raising the bar of expectations for her in the coming season. Chelsea Challacombe took second in the high jump at 5-2.
Several of the visitors from Colorado also turned in nice performances.
Durango's Shannon Maloney won the 800 in a very convincing 2:20. Zane Vanderberg won his first 400 meter title of the season at 49.39. And Ethan Gonzales controlled the 1600 field with a winning time of 4:29.
Judging by the success of this year's venture, it probably wouldn't be too surprising to see this meet back in January again next year.