LUBBOCK – The Texas A&M University-Commerce track and field teams started the spring semester with strong performances at the Corky Classic hosted by Texas Tech.
 
The Lions claimed four provisional qualifying marks and four event wins in the first event of 2020. FULL RESULTS HERE.
 
"It's great to truly get the season started.  The majority of our team worked hard over the holiday break and we were able to see that today, said head coach George Pincock. "Our upperclassmen really set a good tone. Andre Karasch won his section in the shot put and Minna Svaerd had a really race in the 400 meters.
 
"Several of the guys in the 60 meter had solid races, and as we race more and get in the groove of competition, I am sure we will see some fast times. Freshman Nicodemus Rotich had a stellar first competition.  He led from the gun and looked comfortable."
 
Svaerd (Karlstad, Sweden) claimed two provisional qualifying marks, winning the 400 meter dash at 55.43 seconds for the sixth-best time in the nation. She also earned the 12^th-best mark nationally in the pole vault at 3.68 meters (12-0 ¾).
 
Trayveon Franklin (Montgomery) earned a provisional mark in the men's triple jump at 14.57 meters (47-9 ¾), which ranks 12^th in the country. Josh Boateng (St. George's, Grenada) earned a provisional mark in the men's shot put at 16.50 meters (54-1 ¾) on his first throw of the season, ranking 17^th in the nation.
 
Nicodemus Rotich (Eldoret, Kenya) made his collegiate debut with an event win in the men's mile run with an altitude-adjusted time of 4:12.00. Also winning their event and flight were Iniuto Ukpong (Mansfield – Summit) in the women's shot put and Karasch (Barntrup, Germany) in the men's shot put.
 
The Lions return to action in two weeks at the Wendy's Pittsburg State Invitational in Kansas on February 1.
 
PROVISIONAL NATIONAL QUALIFYING MARKS
Women's Pole Vault – Minna Sveard – 3.68m, 12-0 ¾ - 12^th nationally
Men's Triple Jump – Trayveon Franklin – 14.57m, 47-9 ¾ - 12^th nationally
Women's 400 Meter Dash - Minna Sveard – 55.43 – 6^th nationally
Men's Shot Put – Josh Boateng – 16.50m, 54-1 ¾ – 17^th nationally
 
EVENT WIN
Men's Mile – Nicodemus Rotich – 4:14.93 - Altitude adjusted to 4:12.00
Women's Weight Throw B Flight – Iniuto Ukpong – 14.57m, 47-9 ¾
Men's Shot Put B Flight – Andre Karasch – 14.91m, 48-11
Women's 400 Meter Dash - Minna Svaerd – 55.43