Thomas-Billot shatters pair of RC records in San Diego
Jessica Thomas-Billot is well on her way to becoming one of the most decorated distance runners in Ranger College history.
The freshman standout became one of just three RC women to hold multiple school records in track and field last week when she turned more than a few heads at the 41st Annual Aztec Open in San Diego, California. Thomas-Billot shattered two school marks during the meet, which was held on March 21-22.
A native of France, Thomas-Billot ran her way into the history books early by turning in a solid outing in the women's 1,500-meter run. En route to finishing 30th in a field that included runners from several NCAA Division I programs such as San Diego State and Arizona, she bettered Ranger College's previous best in a 1,500-meter race by almost a second.
Thomas-Billot posted a time of 5 minutes, 11.89 seconds in the race. The school's previous best was 5:12.19 set a year ago by then-sophomore Freshiah Ndungu.
Thomas-Billot's time ranks among the top 20 marks posted by an NJCAA runner this season.
Thomas-Billot became a two-time record-setter in the women's 3,000-meter race. Her time of 11:04.52 decimated the school's previous mark of 11:20.00, which was set in 2017 by Gladys Rutto.
Martha Garza and Benisse Inamahorro are the only other two RC runners to hold two RC track records. Garcia set the school mark in the 200- and 400-meter dashes in 2015. Inamahorro established the team's all-time mark in the 5- and 10-kilometer races in 2016.
Alexandra Luna and the RC 4x400-meter relay team fell just short of their attempts at shattering a school record. Luna turned in a time of 2:34.07 in the women's 800-meter race. Her time was about 2.5 seconds off the RC record of 2:31.64 set last year by Ndungu.
The 4x400-meter squad of Marissa Gonzalez, Luna, Yenifer Martinez and Thomas-Billot put the Lady Rangers' all-time 4x400 record within their reach. The foursome legged out a time of 4:52.42 – less than 2 seconds off the mark of 4:53.60 set in 2016 by Amaranta Gamboa, Inamahorro, Autumn Freasier and Sarah Hillman.
Ranger College head track coach Kathy Graham said she was pleased with the team's efforts, noting the RC women held their own against some of the top athletes in the country.
"This meet included teams from all over the nation and the competition was fierce," she said.
The RC women will compete at West Texas A&M on April 6 in Canyon.