Three program impacts highlight 6th ranked Barton men's track and field weekend at Tyson Invite #GoBarton

Three performances of the 6th ranked Barton Community College men's track and field team made historical impact as the Cougars competed Friday and Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas, competing in the Tyson Invitational held at the University of Arkansas.

Overall, Barton added two additional national qualifying and posted five personal and/or season bests competing as the lone two-year college among the field of twenty four-year school teams, ten of those ranked within the nation's Top-25 with scattered amounts of professional and Olympian athletes.

University of Arkansas signee Shakwon Coke shined in his future home arena, beginning his two event weekend with a 6th placing in the invitational section of the long jump. Soaring to a 7.82m (25-08.00) splash in the sand, the NJCAA leader bettered his program 4th best by nearly two inches. On Saturday Coke competed in the triple jump invitational, not reaching his best but still sailed well above national standards with a 14.91m (48-11.00) to take 8th place. Anthony Woods gave Barton two slots in the triple for the national meet, taking on the event for the first time of the season by marking a 14.74m (48-04.50) to place 13th.

The throwing duo of Brandon Lloyd and Giovanni Gutierrez also had a tremendous meet, both increasing their national standing in the shot put with personal bests to post the 6th and 7th furthest mark in program history. Lloyd reach 17.27m (56-08.00) while Gutierrez was just over an inch shorter with a 17.24m (56-06.75) heave.

Like the women, the 4x400m relay team had solid results in bettering their time to a nation's current second best. The tandem of Cedric Williams (49.47 split), Jye Gillard (47.73), Almond Small (48.13), and Elijah Mosley (46.42) passed the baton to a 3:11.74 time in placing 11th in the stacked field of teams.

Almond Small, already qualified in the 200m, added the 60m to his upcoming nationals by posting a personal best 6.84 time to place 13th as Ali Moore, who is already qualified, clocked a 6.81 to place 10th overall. Small also competed in the 200m, placing 20th with a time of 21.63.

Daylin Williams, who is also qualified, placed 12th in the 60m hurdles with an 8.16 time.

Three Cougars placed in the 400m, Gillard leading with a 49.21 for 48th, C. Williams in 53rd at 49.51, and Telron Bradford Jr. in 57th at 50.38. Mosley, the current NJCAA leader, recorded a sub-47 time that would have placed in the program's top five all-time but was disqualified due to a lane violation.

The Cougars now enter post-season action, beginning Saturday, February 19, at the two-day KJCCC/Region VI Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State University's Robert W. Plaster Center.

Barton now has 11 individuals in 15 events qualified for the NJCAA Indoor Nationals held March 4-5 in a return trip to Pittsburg.

Complete Barton Results
60m Dash Qualifying Rd: 10th Ali Moore (6.81 *Already NQ), 13th Almond Small (PB 6.84 *NQ time), 29th Xavier Madden (7.17)
60m H Qualifying Rd: 12th Daylin Williams (8.16)
20th Almond Small (21.63 *Already Nationally Qualified)
400m: 48th Jye Gillard (49.21), 53rd Cedric Williams (49.51), 57th Telron Bradford Jr. (50.38)
4x400m Relay Men: 11th 3:11.74 (Cedric Williams, Jye Gillard, Almond Small, Elijah Mosley) (SB *Improves to 2nd best NQ time)
Long Jump Invite: 6th Shakwon Coke (PB 7.82m, 25-08.00) *The NJCAA leader bettered his personal best and program 4th best mark
Triple Jump Invitational - Men: 8th Shakwon Coke (14.91m, 48-11.00 *Already NQ)
Triple Jump - Men: 13th Anthony Woods (NQ 14.74m, 48-04.50 *1st Time in event)
Shot Put: 11th Brandon Lloyd (PB 17.27m, 56-08.00 *6th Program All-Time), 12th Giovanni Gutierrez (PB 17.24m, 56-06.75 *7th Program All-Time)