ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Azusa Pacific kicked off the indoor season at the New Mexico Team Open in Albuquerque on Friday. Seven Cougars achieved provisional standards on the first of the two-day meet that continues tomorrow. 

The Cougars opened competition in the field, where Eliana Saunders, Esther Conde-Turpin, and Luisa Fischer all met the provisional mark in the women's high jump. Notably, Saunders won the event with a personal best of 1.77m (5'9 3/4"). This mark leaves her tied for No. 2 in the country in the high jump. Conde-Turpin jumped 1.73m (5'8") while Fischer reached 1.69m (5'6 1/2"), earning third and fifth in the event, respectively. 


Conde-Turpin wasn't finished hitting provisional marks, as she also achieved the standard in the long jump with a leap of 5.75m (18'10 1/2"). 

Sid Varland posted a new career-best in the men's high jump, clearing 2.09m (6'10 1/4") to open up his season. This mark earned Varland his first provisional standard of his career and was good enough for a third-place finish overall, finishing behind a pair of Division I jumpers.


On the track, four more provisional qualifying standards were delivered on the women's side. Kiayra Holmes ran a new personal best in the 200m with a time of 24.24. This time is the sixth-fastest in Division II so far this season. Alayna Verner also ran her way to a national standard in the 200m, posting a time of 24.38. 

Freshman Mercy Ehiemere established herself in her first collegiate race with a time of 55.46 in the 400m. This time leads her to her first provisional standard and is No. 6 in the country at this point in the season. Holmes tallied her second national mark of the evening, running 56.77 in the 400m. 

Christian Jervis and Shamar Anderson each won their heats with personal bests in the men's 200m. Jervis ran a time of 21.99 and Anderson ran a 22.71. 

Up Next: The Cougars will continue the weekend tomorrow, with day two of the meet set to begin at 9:30 am MT (8:30 am PT).