Competing across two venues Friday and Saturday, the Barton Community College women's track and field team tested itself on one of the nation's premier stages at the Tyson Invitational while the remainder of the squad delivered depth and qualifying performances at the Ichabod Invitational hosted by Washburn University.
Across the two meets, the Cougars produced five new national qualifying marks and twelve combined personal and season-best performances, continuing their upward trajectory as the indoor postseason approaches.
The final tune-up sets the stage for the remaining two indoor meets of the season beginning next Saturday at the two-day KJCCC/Region 6 Championships held at Pittsburg State University's Plaster Center. Two weeks later, the Cougars return to Topeka for the NJCAA Indoor National Championships scheduled for March 6-7.
Inside the University of Arkansas' Randal Tyson Track Center, where eleven nationally ranked NCAA Division I programs and Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred headlined a 50-school field, Barton's select entries made their presence felt.
Asharria Ulett matched her personal best in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.29 to place seventh overall, solidifying the third-fastest indoor time in program history. Camoy Binger followed in 11th at 8.40 while already holding the fourth-fastest mark in Barton history from her 8.30 performance earlier this season, as the Cougar duo continued to establish one of the region's strongest hurdle pairings. Thomphang Basele added a personal best 56.51 national qualifying time in the 400 meters against a loaded field.
Back in Topeka at the Ichabod Invitational, the Cougars stacked performances across the sprints, jumps, and throws.
Narissa McPherson highlighted the track efforts with a personal best and national qualifying time of 57.17 in the 400 meters, placing eighth overall. Takeila Williams turned in a personal best 25.24 to place eighth in the 200 meters, while Maya Maldonado contributed in both events, including a personal best 58.25 in the 400. Natasha Fox added a 58.09 performance in the quarter.
In the hurdles, already qualified Alexia Walker placed 28th in a time of 10.55.
The horizontal jumps turned into a Barton showcase. Celine Riddle produced a season best 6.01 meters (19-08.75) to place second in the long jump, with Walker just centimeters behind in third at a personal best 6.00 meters (19-08.25). Makiya Mosley added a personal best 5.30 meters (17-04.75). Riddle doubled back in Saturday's triple jump to place second with a season best 12.07 meters (39-07.25).
Already nationally qualified, Jahmeka Brown cleared 1.61 meters (5-03.25) in the high jump to place eighth.
The throws group delivered one of the weekend's strongest statements. Shamoyea Morris posted a personal best and national qualifying mark of 15.72 meters (51-07.00) in the weight throw to place ninth. Zadie Mackey followed with a personal best and national qualifier of 15.20 meters (49-10.50) in the weight, after previously setting a personal best and national qualifying shot put mark of 12.83 meters (42-01.25) to place eighth overall. Shamoye Morris placed 34th in the weight throw (12.34m, 40-06.00) and 27th in the shot put (10.23m, 33-06.75).
Barton Tyson Invitational Results
60m Hurdles: 7th Asharria Ulett (T-PB 8.29 *Already NQ **T-3rd Program Best), 11th Camoy Binger (8.40 *Already NQ **Already has 4th Program Best)
400m: 57th Thomphang Basele (PB NQ 56.51)
Barton Ichabod Invitational Results
60m Hurdles: 28th Alexia Walker (10.55 *Already NQ)
200m: 8th Takeila Williams (PB 25.24), 22nd Maya Maldonado (25.94)
400m: 8th Narissa McPherson (PB NQ 57.17), 13th Natasha Fox (58.09), 15th Maya Maldonado (PB 58.25)
High Jump: 8th Jahmeka Brown (1.61m, 5-03.25 *Already Nationally Qualified)
Long Jump: 2nd Celine Riddle (SB 6.01m, 19-08.75 *Already Qualified), 3rd Alexia Walker (PB 6.00m, 19-8.25 *Already Qualified), 16th Makiya Mosley (PB 5.30m, 17-04.75)
Triple Jump: 2nd Celine Riddle (SB 12.07m, 39-07.25 *Already NQ)
Shot Put: 8th Zadie Mackey (PB NQ 12.83m, 42-01.25), 12th Shamoye Morris (11.93m, 39-01.75), 27th Shamoyea Morris (10.23m, 33-06.75)
Weight Throw: 9th Shamoyea Morris (PB NQ 15.72m, 51-07.00), 14th Zadie Mackey (PB NQ 15.20m, 49-10.50), 34th Shamoye Morris (12.34m, 40-06.00)