ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The West Texas A&M Buffs and Lady Buffs complete day one of the New Mexico Team Open with nine personal bests across six events with sprinter Blessing Akintoye leading the way. WT competed against teams such as UCLA, Tarleton, UT-El Paso, Grand Canyon, Adams State and host New Mexico. Along with universities, there were multiple professional runners in the mix including Team USA womens member, Shae Anderson who competed in the same event as Lady Buff graduate student Corrssia Perry. 
 
PERSONAL BESTS
Blessing Akintoye, a freshman, led the Lady Buffs with two personal bests and sitting second fastest in the nation in both events after competing in the 200-meter and 400-meter. Akintoye ran a 55.18 in the 400-meter to place third and ran the eighth fastest time in WT history. Her 200-meter time of 24.22 placed third and just barely missed the mark in WT top-10. She joins current teammate Perry to make it back-to-back years that a Lady Buff placed in the top-10 in the 400-meter. 
 
Distance runner, Lexi Maul, was the other Lady Buff to have a personal best in an event as she ran the distance in the 3,000-meter (10:31.98). Maul beat her personal best in the event set earlier this year at the Stan Scott Memorial. Joining in the distance is Buff Adiran Legarreta also breaking his fastest time in the 3,000m at 8:32.14.
 
The Buffs had six personal bests with the majority coming from the 200-meter dash. Malick Diop placed highest out of the Buffs with a 21.95 finish. Diop makes the top-25 in the nation at 22^nd with his efforts. Following Diops finish were teammates Aymeric Fermely (22.17), LaVell Patterson (22.56) and Kenyon Mosley (22.79). Jamill Phillips bettered his 400-meter (50.29).
 
COMING UP
The Buffs and Lady Buffs aren't done yet as they look to tomorrow for day two of the New Mexico Team Open. Preliminaries are set for the 60-meter invite and 60-meter hurdles invite as multiple WT student-athletes look to compete against top competition. Buff alumni-turned professional runner Benjamin Azamati is set for the 60-meter prelims in the afternoon. Fans can watch live on FloTrack.com.