CANYON, Texas – Kennedy Johnson earned a podium finish in the triple jump and set a new school record in the 200 meter dash preliminaries to highlight the opening day of the Lone Star Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Ella Pando also grabbed a podium finish in the 10,000m to end the first day of competition.
 
Johnson was the first Mustangs to compete at this weekend's LSC Championships, starting with the triple jump. The sophomore posted is top-15 in the nation in the event, and backed it up with a second leap of 12.23m (40' 1.5") to take second place, with West Texas A&M's Leady Cuesta win the event (12.31m (40' 4.75"). Johnson's night did not end there, as the Euless, Texas native raced in the 200-meter dash prelims, setting a personal best, and a new school record (24.01s) to qualify for the final on Friday. Johnson moved past Asia Robertson in the school record books, who had the previous record of 24.02 (2023).
 
Ella Pando raced her way to a 3^rd place finish in the 10,000 meters (37:45.46), marking back-to-back outdoor championships on the podium. The senior was inside the top-3 for the final 6000 meters off the race, with a comfortable distance behind 4^th place. Isabel Hernandez scored points in the event for the Mustangs, crossing the line in 7^th place (39:33.40). Perla Flores (11^th, 40:20.05) and Rosalene Reyes Perez (12^th, 40:23.93) crossed the finish line one after another.
 
Grace Pineda advanced to the finals of the 1500 meters, earning direct qualification after finishing second place in her heat (4:44.33). The sophomore's time is 3^rd overall going into the finals on Saturday, just 0.25 seconds behind the top qualifier (Abigail Abugire, WT). Shalisa Williams posted a competitive time in the 100 meter hurdles, 14.88s), but narrowly missed progression towards the finals. Williams's time was the 2^nd fastest of the season, behind her season best and school record time in the event (14.80).

The Mustangs continue the conference championships tomorrow evening, with four more prelims and one final. Four Mustangs in the 800 meters will kick off the night at 6:30 p.m.

Day One Results

Track Events

Thursday, May 7
Preliminaries
100-Meter Hurdles: 14. Shalisa Williams, 14.88.
200-Meter Dash: 5. Kennedy Johnson, 24.01 pq#*; Kennedy DeHorney, DNF.
1,500-Meter Run: 3. Grace Pineda, 4:44.33 q.

Final
10,000-Meter Run: 3. Ella Pando, 37:45.46; 7. Isabel Hernandez, 39:33.40; 11. Perla Flores, 40:20.05; 12. Rosalene Reyes Perez, 40:23.93.

Field Events

Thursday, May 7
Triple Jump: 2. Kennedy Johnson, 12.23m (40' 1.5")p.

Tomorrow's Events

Friday, May 8
Preliminaries
800-Meter Run (6:30 p.m.): Jessie Heath (2:09.78), Maggie Neal (2:10.10), Jadyn Dangerfield (2:10.82), Sophia Lee (2:17.72), Hallie Kogler (2:21.58).
400-Meter Dash (7 p.m.): Brianna Estrada (57.14)
100-Meter Dash (7:30 p.m.): Kennedy Johnson (12.00), Karissa Nixon (12.06), Kennedy DeHorney (12.16), Kyja Willis (12.23),  
400-Meter Hurdles (8 p.m.): Abby Cavender (1:06.81);

Final
3,000-Meter Steeplechase (8:30 p.m.): Rosalene Reyes Perez (11:43.94)

q – Qualified for finals on Saturday
p - NCAA Division II provisional qualifying time/mark.
* - indicates personal record (indoor or outdoor).
^ - indicates outdoor personal record.
#- indicates school record