By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
Behind eleven personal or season bests Saturday at the Rock Chalk Classic in Lawrence, the 3rd ranked Barton Community College men's track and field team added a pair of new national qualifiers and made two edits on its storied program all-time top ten lists.
The additions bring the Cougars' total to 25 performances qualified for the national meet as Barton will first set its sight on the Region VI Championships taking place May 4-6 in Coffeyville.
A pair of freshmen highlighted the day's performances, one capping the Cougars' last event on Saturday in the 800m Invitational as Fabian Campbell gave a run for the title in a photo-finish .24 seconds for the runner-up position. Already nationally qualified in the event, Campbell's personal best vaulted into the 5th fastest time in program history and ranks 7th currently on the NJCAA's season list.
Already leading the nation in the javelin, Christopher Young bettered his previous mark by over 18 inches to move up a slot on the program best chart to No. 3 in winning the event at 66.98m.
Both of the Cougars' new national qualifiers came in the sprints as Aaron Charles led Barton's three personal best performances in the 100m clocking a winning 10.53 time. Malachi Carter placed 4th on his personal fastest 10.68 with Marlon Wordlow's best of 10.90 placing 15th.
Almond Small edged out teammate Jayden Singleton for 4th in the 200m, clocking a 21.17 while Singleton's personal fastest time registered a 21.18 in punching his national entry ticket. Wordlow also posted another best time of 21.97 to cross in 20th with Malachi Carter finishing in 28th at 22.56.
Matching their women teammates with the Rock Chalk Classic 4x100m relay title in a season best time, the tandem of Elijah Mosley, Charles, Small, and Revon Williams moved up two spots on the national season list to 4th fastest at 40.20 seconds.
In addition to Young the baton passers' Classic title, Christopher Crawford led Barton's three discus qualifiers with a 55.80m to win the event.
Fifth on the shot put program list, Brandon Lloyd led the throwing groups' 3-4-5 finish in the metal ball heave with a season best 18.06m with Young next at 17.51m and Crawford at 17.22m.