PITTSBURG, KS- The West Texas A&M Buff Track and Field team earned fourth place at the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships hosted by Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kansas. The Buffs finished with 37 team points from eight events. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
There were five scored events on day two of the Indoor National Championship with the most points scored in the 60-meter dash from sophomore Isaac Botsio. Botsio was one of nine in the race that saw him running against a tight railing next to the fans. He went on to place second finishing in 6.67 seconds, despite the running conditions, and scored eight team points for the Buffs. 
 
Following up with five points was junior distance runner Prince Mcabelo in the 800-meter. Mcabelo ran a personal best time of 1 minute, 49.1 seconds marking the first time he has broken the 1 minute, 50 second barrier. He took fourth overall. Overall, Mcabelo scored the most points for the Buffs as he was a part of the distance medley relay that brought in 8 points on day one of the championships. Mcabelo's total was 13 points for the Buffs. 
 
Hamdi Ali finished fifth in the high jump hitting a 2.16m (7'1) height and brought in four team points. Ali has been in three back-to-back-to-back national championships where he has scored points for the Buffs in each championship. 
 
William Amponsah scored six total points for the Buffs with three a piece coming from the 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter. Amponsah took sixth in each event while shattering the 3,000-meter WT record in 8 minutes, 2.6 seconds tonight. The record was previously set by Owen Hind in 2017.
 
Troy Whyte gained two points in the 60-meter hurdles coming in seventh. 
 
TEAM SCORES
Host team Pittsburg State took first with 69 points, Grand Valley State with 56.5 points, Adams State with 55 points then West Texas A&M with 37 points. 
 
The Buffs finished one placement higher than predicted for the indoor season according to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. 
 
COMING UP
West Texas A&M track and field will look ahead to next weekend when the outdoor season starts. The Buffs and Lady Buffs host the first outdoor meet of the season at the WT track and field complex. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the maroon and white at the WT Spring Break Open starting on Friday, March 15^th to Saturday, March 16^th.
A full meet schedule can be found HERE.