Running to Nationals and leaping into the record books, the Dodge City track and field team was led by a national qualifier and a school record performance in the first indoor competition of the season. 

The Conquistadors traveled to Maryville, Missouri, and competed at the Richard Alsup Invite as 24 schools competed from the NAIA, NCAA DI and DII, and NJCAA levels. 

Dual-sport athlete Coray Stafford, after competing for the Conqs on the football field, started the track season with a bang. Stafford sprinted to a second-place finish in the 60-meter dash, posting a time of 6.80, competing against over 90 runners. His time also qualified him for the NJCAA Indoor National Championship in March. 

On the women's side of competition, Sophia Calistro posted a leap of 5.10 meters (16'08.75") in the long jump and tied the indoor school record. She finished 14th overall in the long jump on the day, on top of taking 16th in the high jump (1.45m) and competing in the shot put (8.45m). 

Deven Bolton started his sophomore campaign with a third-place finish in the men's high jump with a leap of 1.93 meters (6'04) with nearly 30 competitors in the event. 

Also, on the men's side of competition, both Josue Vega and Rafael Zaballa del Hoyo each recorded a Top 10 finish on the day. Vega posted a time of 8:47.15 to earn seventh place in the 3000-meter run, competing against 60+ runners. Zaballa del Hoyo posted a time of 2:35.94 to place sixth in the 1000-meter run and was just over 10 seconds away from national qualifying time. He also competed in the 800-meter run (2:00.13). 

The distance races on the women's side of the competition saw two more Conqs with strong performances. Daniela Cerda earned a 14th-place finish in the 800-meter run (2:31.70) and a 16th-place showing in the 5000-meter run (20:03.03). In the 1000-meter run, a time of 3:25.10 earned Sarai Rodriguez a 15th-place finish, while she also competed in the 800-meter run (2:38.24). 

Conqs will continue the indoor season on Friday, January 30th, when they travel to Kearney, Nebraska, to compete at the Charlie Foster Classic hosted by the University of Nebraska Kearney. 

Other Conq Performances
Brier Thompson – 60m (7.12); 60m hurdles (9.26); 200m (22.86); Long Jump (5.90m) 
J'Daryion Dickson – 60m (7.42); 200m (24.45)
Iranzi Revis – 60m (7.51); Long Jump (5.29m) 
Vanda Amler – 60m (8.46); 200m (28.31) 
Zyria Thompson – 60m (8.56); 200m (28.60)
Tynisha Green – 60m (8.71); 200m (29.60) 
Careion Franklin – 200m (22.97); 400m (51.48) 
James Bradley – 200m (22.97); 400m (53.62) 
Javaurius Malone – 200m (24.64); 400m (56.08)
Anthony Godfrey – 600yd run (1:20.33); 1000m (2:54.01)
Oscar Leal Jr – 800m (2:02.46) 
Jose Chavez Ramirez – 800m (2:07.43); 1000m (2:46.44)
Elijah Kisner – 800m (2:09.10); 1000m (2:45.71) 
Frankie Martens – 1000m (3:42.12); 1-mile run (6:40.85) 
Juan Badillo – 1-mile run (5:09.26) 
LeiAnn Maize – 1-mile run (6:22.86) 
Juan Gomez-Lira – 5000m (17:09.31) 
Jennifer Lamas – 5000m (21:19.85) 
Karen Vargas Alvarez– 5000m (21:44.62) 
Cinthya Garcia – Long Jump (4.08m)
Ariana Auza Luna – Shot Put (8.51m); Weight Throw (13.11m)
James Littlewood – Weight Throw (12.71m); Shot Put (12.43m)
Amir Rodriguez – Weight Throw (11.07m); Shot Put (10.18m)
Eddie Salinas Millan – 3000m (9:36.25)
Denae Arellano – 3000m (11:48.01)
Kristina Bates – 3000m (12:59.61)