By BRANDON SMITH
Barton Sports Info
Barton Men
Competing for the first time in six years at the NJCAA National Championships, the Barton Community College men's cross country team put a lid on the 2022 season this past weekend at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida.
Fielding a team on the big stage for the first time in seven years, the Cougars accumulated a team scoring 527 points earning 21st in the field of 29 teams while finishing sixth between the eight entered Region VI teams. Claiming the National Championship was KJCCC foe Colby Community College with 38-points thanks to all five runners finishing within the top-17, led by Sanele Masondo winning the individual crown outrunning the 194-competitor field in 24.07.2.
Theo Leveque led the Cougars to the tape for the sixth time this season, placing 30th with a time of 26:14.3 to close out his impressive freshman campaign.
Fabian Campbell navigated the eight-kilometer course in 28:58.1, finishing 98th, with Brandon Nguyen crossing the line 27-spots back in 125th with a stoppage of 30:05.4.
Bryant Galvez crossed the line in 30:53.9, good for 146th place, with Jarron King rounding out the Cougar five pack in 176th with a time of 33:07.1.
Barton Women
The Barton Community College women's cross country team capped the 2022 season this past weekend at the NJCAA National Championships held at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida.
Running her final 5k race in the Cougar uniform, Karina Herrera led Barton to the line for the sixth time this year, finishing 103rd in clocking a 22:05.8.
Four seconds and two spots behind was Koe Schultz placing 105th with a stoppage of 22:09.9.
Abigail Behring finished in 141st place after traversing the course in 23:37.4, while Karina Estrada rounded out the Cougar placings in 158th clocking a 24:57.6.
Claiming the team title was Southern Idaho scoring a team total of 61 edging out New Mexico Junior College 79 and third place Salt Lake's 95-point total. Faith Nyathi of El Paso Community College claimed the individual title with a best time of 17:47.8.