British Virgin Islands-born athlete Khybah Dawson has etched his name in the annals of New Mexico Junior College’s track and field history, clinching the individual national championship in the long jump at the 2024 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Indoor Track & Field Championships.
In a thrilling competition, Dawson initially trailed Raekwon Weatherspoon of Pima Community College after the first two flights, with a leap of 7.50 metres, trailing by a mere 0.02 metres. The sophomore jumper, however, surged ahead during the finals, seizing the lead on his fifth attempt with a 7.63m mark. Dawson sealed the victory with a remarkable personal-best jump of 7.73 metres on his final attempt, outclassing Weatherspoon by 0.21 metres.
This triumph earned Dawson the title of All-American and contributed 10 crucial points to his New Mexico Thunderbirds. His stellar performance over the past year did not go unnoticed, as he was subsequently honoured with the West Region Men Indoor Field Athlete of the Year award.
The 2024 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships also witnessed notable participation from other BVI athletes. Bruce Huggins and Tyreese James of North Iowa Area Community College in the 4×400 metre relay, securing first place in Heat 1 and finishing 15th among 19 teams. James also showed out in the 400 metres, securing the 4th position in Heat 3 and 22nd among 24 athletes with a timing of 51.58 seconds.
Tenisha Herbert, representing North Iowa Area Community College, participated in the Long Jump, placing 23rd with a distance of 4.90 metres, and contributed to the 16th-place finish in the 4×400 metre relay with a combined time of 4:16.95.
Kenyatta Grate from Indian Hills Community College dominated in the 200 metres, securing 1st in Heat 7 and 11th among 23 athletes with a timing of 24.64 seconds. Additionally, Grate delivered in the 4×400 metre relay, securing 3rd in Heat 3 and 9th among 16 teams with a combined time of 3:49.44.
Meanwhile, Wanyae Belle, representing Barton County College secured 5th in Heat 1 and 22nd among 38 athletes in the 60-metre race (6.85 seconds) and 2nd in Heat 2 and 19th among 39 athletes in the 200 metres (21.60 seconds). Also, Jaden Augustine competing for Central Arizona University contributed to the Distance Medley Relay, finishing 8th in Heat 1 and 16th among 18 teams with a running time of 10:19.11.
