The Barton Community College women's track and field team added eight more national qualifiers to its list competing this past weekend in Canyon, Texas, competing in the Jo Meaker Classic & Multi hosted by West Texas A&M University.
Taking advantage when it could of high wind conditions, the 2nd ranked Cougars posted fifteen personal or season bests with five first-time event entries coming away with four of Barton's new national qualifying performances.
Among those making the most of the opportunity, Ashantae Harvey not only competed in the 400m hurdles, but surpassed national qualifying standards in recording a program top-five best effort of 59.17. The effort earned second place as teammate and school record holder Lashanna Graham took the event on a season best 59.03 as the duo now occupies the top two spots of the season's NJCAA performances. Graham also took the 400m title, clocking a personal best and qualifying time of 55.00 to rank 4th behind Harvey's third slot on the national leaderboard.
Harvey also entered the 200m all-conditions program record book, clocking an event and personal best 3rd place time of 23.52. Joining Harvey as new national qualifiers in the event, Naiya Morgan's best time of 24.10 punched her ticket in finishing 10th as Jayda Dillon, who is already qualified, placed 6th on a season improvement 23.76 time. Dillon also led the trio in the shorter 100m dash, bettering her national qualifying time to 11.61 in placing 3rd while Harvey and Morgan took on the event for the first time, each reaching national standards with an 11.66 and 11.89 placing 7th and 8th respectively.
Danae Nembhard rounded out the first time event entries punching their national ticket, clocking a 13.91 time in placing 3rd in the 100m hurdles.
The hammer throw trio of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of the national qualifying list also shined on Saturday. Posting personal bests as each marked program all-time top ten efforts. Jada Sewell led the group with a 51.07m, Efe Latham next at 49.98m, and Ariana Rodriguez marking a 48.33m, placing the trio in the 7th through 9th placings at the Classic. One day earlier in Friday's competition, Latham reached a javelin personal best, placing 2nd on a 38.77m throw to add the event on her national qualifying list.
Barton will have couple weeks away from competition before heading to Norman, Oklahoma, for the John Jacobs Invitational held April 22-23.