Shaquena Foote Shines at Desert Heat Classic

Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University NewsEducation

Athletes showcase their skills during the Desert Heat Classic at Drachman Stadium.

News Summary

At the Desert Heat Classic, Shaquena Foote earned a second-place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 51.42 seconds, marking her second-fastest time ever. Her performance stands out among the SDSU track and field team’s achievements, highlighting their competitiveness ahead of upcoming meets. The event took place at Drachman Stadium in Tucson, showcasing various athletes and individual performances, as the team prepares for the Mountain West Championships this month.

Tucson, Arizona – Shaquena Foote delivered an impressive performance at the Desert Heat Classic held on May 3, 2025. The two-time All-American clocked a time of 51.42 seconds in the 400-meter race, earning her a second-place finish out of 42 competitors. Foote’s result marks her second-fastest time ever and is just shy of her personal best of 51.35 seconds, achieved at the 2024 NCAA West Prelims. This remarkable time also ranks as the third-fastest in San Diego State (SDSU) school history.

Only Rachel Joseph of Iowa State finished ahead of Foote, breaking the Drachman Stadium record with an impressive time of 50.79 seconds. Foote’s strong performance underscored her status as one of the top sprinters in collegiate athletics.

Performance Highlights at Desert Heat Classic

The Desert Heat Classic showcased notable achievements from the entire SDSU track and field team. Alongside Foote’s outstanding run, the 100-meter hurdles demonstrated the depth of talent within the team. Charlize James stood out, finishing fourth with a time of 13.35 seconds. Her teammate Jada Pierre followed closely in fifth place, clocking in at 13.43 seconds. Additionally, Mia Reid secured seventh place with a wind-aided time of 13.57 seconds, contributing to the team’s strong showing in hurdles.

In other events, Sophia Wolf achieved a commendable fifth place in the 800 meters, completing the race with a time of 2:08.24 amongst 34 entrants. The SDSU 4×400-meter relay team also demonstrated their competitiveness, finishing fifth with a time of 3:40.69. Despite a challenging day in the sprints, Aji Mbye placed 13th in the 100 meters with a wind-aided time of 11.59 seconds and took 14th in the 200 meters with a time of 23.73 seconds.

Upcoming Competitions

Following the Desert Heat Classic, the Aztec track and field team is set to participate in the Franson Last Chance Meet, scheduled for May 8-10 in Azusa, California. This competition will provide a final opportunity for athletes to secure qualifying times ahead of the Mountain West Championships, which will take place from May 15-17 in Clovis, California.

Context on the Event

The Desert Heat Classic took place at Drachman Stadium in Tucson, Arizona, and featured numerous athletes from various institutions, making it a significant event in the collegiate track and field calendar. No official team scores were recorded for the competition, allowing individual performances to take center stage.

Foote’s performance, along with the strong showings from her teammates, positions the SDSU track and field team for promising prospects in their upcoming competitions. With the Mountain West Championships on the horizon, athletes will be eager to build on their recent successes and further solidify their standings in the national rankings.