The howling wind blew in ominous clouds up above and dust on the ground.

Despite this changing weather, dozens of student athletes still participated in their performance enhancement program, or PEP, events.

Going against the wind in most of their running events, top athletes from high schools around El Paso and Las Cruces competed in a variety of strength and endurance activities.

"This morning it started off really windy and and we were a little shady about as far as what we could do," said Chris Estrada, PEP organizer.

Eager to compete, many athletes did enjoy the cooler temperatures in the mid- to upper 70s, compared to the hot 80-degree weather this past week.

"You don't worry about all the sunscreen and everybody getting burned up," said Selina O'Niel, freshman at Austin High School.

"I've come here two years and each year it has kinda been hot and the sun's out. But, it's nice today with the clouds and the wind, so it is nice and cool, so it is much better," said Yanni Suter, junior at Mayfield High School.

Students how had to compete in pushing large tires up a hill worked against these breezy conditions.

"It's a little shaky cause in some events you had to push stuff and the winds kinda changes it," O'Niel said.

Wind gusts were as strong as 44 mph Saturday, but PEP organizers said the winds did not prevent them from hosting all of their outdoor events with the students.