By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
Cedricka Williams and Ricardo Hayles of the Barton Community College track and field program have earned weekly honors following performances this past weekend at the Michael Johnson Invitational in Waco, Texas.
Both were named the KJCCC week six field athletes as Williams headlined the selections in picking up her fourth career national award distributed by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Breaking the national discus record twice last season with the latest coming just over a year ago at the same Johnson Invite, Williams returned to break her own record another pair of times, bettering her fourth attempt's 59.16m (194-1) mark a foot further on her last attempt recording a 59.46m (195-1) in winning the event for the second consecutive year.
Earlier in the day, Williams again saved the best for last in the hammer throw with a 15th place 50.04m (164-02) mark in popping on the program all-time best list at No. 10.
Williams' four USTFCCCA weekly outdoor awards are the 12th for the women's program, joined by Jazmine Williamson (2024), Kelsie Murrell-Ross (2022), Nia Robinson (2021 and 2022), Lashanna Grahm (2021), Yoveinny Mota (twice in 2019) and Lydia Mato (2015).
For Hayles, this is not only his first but the Cougar men's first outdoor weekly award, in being named the KJCCC Field Athlete of the Week.
Making just his second appearance of the outdoor season due to an injury, Hayles is well back on his way to form eclipsing his previous outing's best twice for a 3rd placing overall at 57.71m (189-04). As a freshman, Hayles uncorked a 60.83m (199-07) Region 6 winning throw sixteen feet further to rank as the program's second best ever and the NJCAA's 7th all-time effort.
Barring any additions to the schedule, the duo along with the rest of the Cougar squad will now prepare for the outdoor post-season with the KJCCC/Region 6 Championships taking place May 1-3 in Coffeyville, followed by the National Championships held May 15-17 in Hutchinson.