The No. 3 ranked Barton Community College women's track and field team utilized a split-squad approach in its final tune-up for post-season, competing Thursday at the Alex Francis Classic hosted by Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, before sending a pair of jumpers Friday to the prestigious John McDonnell Invitational hosted by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Across the two meets, the Cougars produced a collection of eight personal or season bests, a pair of new national qualifying marks, and a climb up the program record book.
Competing in Hays, Barton's sprinters delivered the top highlights of the day behind a breakout performance from Takeila Williams. The sophomore posted two national qualifying performances, placing third in the 100m with a personal best 11.91 while adding a runner-up in the 200m with another personal best time of 24.37. Kennidra Spigner added a season best 24.52 in placing fifth in the 200m, while Destany Johnson also added a season best 26.04 with another personal best 17.08 in the 100m hurdles.
In the field events, Makiya Mosley turned in a personal best leap of 5.60m (18-04.50) to place third in the long jump.
The throws group continued its steady progression, highlighted by Shamoyea Morris' runner-up finish in the discus with a mark of 51.47m (168-10), improving her standing from eighth to sixth on Barton's all-time list. Shamoye Morris followed with a sixth-place throw of 47.52m (155-11), while Zadie Mackey placed seventh at 45.87m (150-06).
Additional personal bests came in the hammer throw as Shamoye Morris added a personal best in the hammer throw at 46.79m (153-06), with fellow national qualifiers in the event Mackey adding a 46.69m (153-02) effort and Shamoyea Morris marking a 44.10m (144-08). Mackey also placed fifth in the shot put with a 12.55m (41-02.25) mark, followed by Shamoye Morris in sixth at 12.03m (39-05.75).
Competing Friday in Fayetteville, a pair of Barton jumpers took on elite competition at the John McDonnell Invitational, highlighted by another strong showing from Celine Riddle. The sophomore placed third in the long jump, matching her personal best with a leap of 6.07m (19-11.00) against a high-level field. Jahmeka Brown added a 13th place clearance of 1.60m (5-03.00) in the high jump.
Barton will now turn its attention to the postseason beginning on Thursday in Arkansas City for the three-day KJCCC/Region 6 Championships at the Phillips Track and Field Complex.
Barton's Alex Francis Classic Results (PB/SB = Personal/Season best; NQ = National Qualifying)
100m: 3rd Takeila Williams (PB NQ 11.91)
100m H: 14th Destany Johnson (PB 17.08)
200m: 2nd Takeila Williams (PB NQ 24.37), 5th Kennidra Spigner (SB 24.52), 13th Destany Johnson (SB 26.04)
Long Jump: 3rd Makiya Mosley (PB 5.60m, 18-04.50)Shot Put: 5th Zadie Mackey (12.55m, 41-02.25 *Already NQ), 6th Shamoye Morris (12.03m, 39-05.75)
Discus Throw: 2nd Shamoyea Morris (51.47m, 168-10 *Moved up from 8th to 6th Program Best **Already NQ), 6th Shamoye Morris (47.52m, 155-11 *Already NQ), 7th Zadie Mackey (45.87m, 150-06 *Already NQ)
Hammer Throw: 7th Shamoye Morris (PB 46.79m, 153-06 *Already NQ), 8th Zadie Mackey (46.69m, 153-02 *Already NQ), 9th Shamoyea Morris (44.10m, 144-08 *Already NQ)
Barton's John McDonnell Invitational Results (PB/SB = Personal/Season best; NQ = National Qualifying)
Long Jump: 3rd Celine Riddle (T-PB 6.07m, 19-11.00 *Already NQ)
High Jump: 13th Jahmeka Brown (1.60m, 5-03.00 *Already NQ)