Warming up the season with weekend #2

El Paso Hanks Excalibur Invitational

While the national elite marks were all posted by Texas schools, it was still worth checking in on what Alamogordo's boys had going in El Paso this weekend. Most notably, Mark Haywood took down the field in both the 200 and 400 with times of 22.25 and 50.19, respectively. If that's not sending some signals up north, there are some folks in the Albuquerque area who need to get their aeriels up and in working order. Other noteworthy Tiger marks included Riley Finnegan at 131-9 in the discus and Daniel Karns at 4:49 and 11:14 in the 1600 and 3200. Add to that a 12-0 for Kevin Patterson in the pole vault.

Unlike Haywood's marks, none of those three marks have immediate state meet kind of importance, but they do signal a readiness to move up to the next level as the season progresses.

Santa Teresa Invitational

For the part of New Mexico that was in action this weekend, Santa Teresa is where the action was.

Jennifer Ramirez once again dominated both hurdle events for Onate, marking something of a highlight for the Knights on the day. Santa Teresa's Regina Marquez enjoyed a mostly uncontested 3200 title, and Meghan Aguilera swept the 800 and 1600 titles, as has become her custom. Yemisi Oroyinyin came back with her second big shot put mark in as many weeks to put the shot put title in the Onate column.

On the boys side, Seth Siler, Brett Williams, and Andrew Thatcher each validated performances from the previous weekend in Texas. Thomas Salas took 10:29 to put away the 3200 field, and Artesia's Keaton Collins won his first triple jump of the season with a 41-2.5.

The marks we're seeing a still looking a lot like early-season marks, but that might be because it still is very early season. Things will be coming along soon enough.

Tall City Invitational

Hobbs made the trip to Midland. Usually, with Hobbs it's not so much a question of if they're going to Texas, but one of where in Texas they're going.

Boys distance and hurdles highlighted the marks for Hobbs at this one. Kolim Zembas posted a 15.33 for second in the 110 hurdles, while the 3200 crew of Manuel Porras, Carlos Oregon, and Jesse Madrid logged nice early-season times of 10:15, 10:17, and 10:40. Hobbs continues to produce well in distance.