Track and field helps ENMU gain national slot

CHICAGO — The Eastern New Mexico University track and field teams did the heavy lifting, putting the college in a top-200 finish for the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings.

With 120.5 points, scored entirely by the indoor and outdoor track and field teams, ENMU finished 161st and appeared in the final standings for the sixth time in seven years.

The cup was developed 23 years ago as a joint effort of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports — seven women's and seven men's.

The track and field team scored 57 points during the indoor season, and 63.5 points in the outdoor season. The men finished 16th in both nationals, with both teams comprised solely of sophomore sprinter Marcus Parker and senior pole vaulter Kenneth Lloyd. The women finished 65th in the outdoor championships thanks to a finals appearance from the 400 relay team of Kandace Miles, Danee Bustos, Maijah Mathis and Lateria Slaughter.

Since the award's inception in 1995-96, ENMU has appeared in the final standings 14 times, including a 146th-place effort in 2001. ENMU's finish this season is the highest since 2010 and the fifth-highest in school history.

ENMU was one of nine Lone Star Conference schools to appear in the final standings.