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Kayla O’Connell records eighth-place finish in the 10,000m.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Story and Photo By Emilio Garcia for NMSU: Courtesy
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Pressure makes diamonds. Throughout a cloudy and generally windy day, NM State began their weekend of competition at the 2025 Conference USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. Sierra Brewer highlighted the opening act after tallying a school record of 11.40 seconds in the 100m, while five Aggies advanced through preliminary competition and qualified for Sunday’s finals.
Top-Eight Finishes
Kayla O’Connell – 10,000m (8th)
Track Headlines
Opening the day of action on the track, Rachel O’Brien and Nia Allison advanced to the finals for the 1500m after tallying times of 4:31.53 and 4:33.96, respectively – with O’Brien recording the fastest time among all athletes in preliminary competition. This becomes the first time advancing to the finals for both Aggies.
Competing as the sole entrant for the Crimson & White, Breanna Moss advanced to the 100m hurdle finals for the first time in her collegiate career after posting a time of 14.10 – the third fastest mark in her heat.
In similar fashion in the 400m, true freshman Sahara Tasker qualified for Sunday’s final after posting a time of 54.76 in preliminary action, finishing second in her heat.
Sierra Brewer highlighted the Aggies in the 100m prelims, tallying a school record mark of 11.40 to become the sole member of NM State to advance – her first time doing so in the event. Marlee Cavitt (11.81) Jaylah McDonnell (11.84) competed in their first outdoor championship competitions with the Crimson & White.
Closing the first day at the CUSA Championships, Kayla O’Connell collected the first points of the weekend for the Aggies in the 10,000m, taking eighth with a season-best time of 37:17.68. Khloi Bird competed in her first outdoor championship event with the Aggies, posting a time of 38:26.67.
Field Headlines
Cameron Hodges led NM State in the long jump, finishing just short of finals with a mark of 5.76m (18-10.75″), while Jaylah McDonnell made her first appearance at an outdoor championship meet with the Crimson & White, posting a mark of 5.52m (18-1.50″).
Alesha Lane paced the trio of Aggies competing in the hammer throw, posting a best mark of 47.10m. Camilla Garcia Carrera made her first appearance at the CUSA Championships.
Personal Bests
Sierra Brewer – 100m (11.40)*
*Raw Times
Day One Standings
1. FIU (30.5 points)
2. Kennesaw State (27.5 points)
3. Middle Tennessee (22 points)
4. UTEP (22 points)
5. Liberty (21.5 points)
6. Jacksonville State (11 points)
7. Western Kentucky (10.5 points)
8. Sam Houston (10 points)
9. NM State (1 point)
10. LA Tech (0 points)
UP NEXT
NM State returns to Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Complex on Saturday for the second day of the 2025 CUSA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Action begins at 2:00 p.m. MT, with a live stream available through ESPN+ beginning at 7:15 p.m. MT, and live stats through this link.
For complete coverage of NM State Track & Field, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateXCTF), Instagram (@NMStateXCTF), and like us on Facebook (NMStateTrackXC).
