COLLEGE STATION, Texas – In her first indoor race as a member of the Texas State track and field team, Leslie Romero set a new program record in the 3000-meter run on Saturday at the Ted Nelson Invitational. Overall, the teams combined for 27 top 10 marks in the Sun Belt Conference.
 
Romero completed the 3000m event in 9:51.31 to break the previous Bobcat record that had stood since 2012 by over three seconds. Her time is the fastest in the conference and holds a seven-second advantage over the No. 2 time. The Houston native won the race by nearly four seconds over runners from Texas and Texas A&M.
 
Adding their names to the TXST record book on the track was Tramesha Hardy and Devina Schneider. Hardy ran a 23.87 in the 200m for the second quickest time in the conference. Schneider became the first Sun Belt runner to break the five-minute barrier in the mile with a time of 4:58.54.
 
Live Hilton posted a top 10 distance in Bobcat history in the long jump. She leapt 5.92m (19-5.25) and is the best in the league this year. Also ranking in the top five in the long jump in the Sun Belt are Naomi Ferdinand and Kylah Smith in third and fifth, respectively.
 
Recording multiple top 10 marks in the conference was Melanie Rusch. She ended the meet ranked fourth in the shot put at 13.69m (44-1) and ninth in the weight throw after a toss of 15.97m (52-4.75).
 
T'Mond Johnson posted a season best distance, the third best in Texas State history and added to his conference leading mark in the shot put. The senior took second at the meet at 18.79m (61-7.75).
 
The only male Bobcat with a top Sun Belt time on the track was Kyle Denomme. His mark came in the 800m after crossing the finishing line in 1:53.03.
 
Jaylen Allen now has the second fastest conference time in the 400m in 48.50. Matthew Parker ran a 49.84 to rank eighth in the event.
 
Four Bobcats added their names to the Sun Belt's 3000m top 10 list led by Joseph Meade. The senior completed the race in 8:36.17 to rank second. Two spots behind him is Derek Elkins at 8:39.09. Cody Miller (8:55.28) and Chase Bracher (8:57.14) rank eighth and ninth, respectively.
 
There were three top 10 conference distances in the weight throw for the men's team. Jaylon Jorge is third after a toss of 17.84m (58-6.5) and Brandon Busby is fourth at 17.36m (56-11.5). Bobby Smith comes in seventh with a throw of 16.97m (55-8.25).
 
Others to end the meet ranked in the top 10 in the Sun Belt were Akinshe Calica-Hill (triple jump), Sydney Cole (mile), Dawnshae Evans (400m), Sadi Giles (200m), Breonna Hall (400m), Kaylee Krenek (60m hurdles), Cade Michael (mile) and Tina Sierra (mile).
 
TXST takes next weekend off before returning to action on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Mark Colligan Memorial in Lincoln, Nebraska.
 
For the latest on Texas State track and field, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com and follow the team on Twitter at @TxStateTrack.