In their final tune-up before post-season, Lashanna Graham and Ana da Silva of the 3rd ranked Barton Community College women's track and field team earned conference and national recognition Wednesday from their achievements this past week.

The program record holder in the 400m hurdles, Graham reset her top of the charts clocking last Thursday at the Don Kirby Tailwind Open in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to not only earn the conference track athlete of the week but was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women's Athlete of the Week. The freshman's line crossing of 57.26 bettered her new program best while also becoming the 3rd fastest person in NJCAA history to win the event by an equally eye-popping 5.65 seconds.

Fellow record book leader Silva didn't reset her best marks but won two events nonetheless this past Saturday at the Tabor College Invite to earn the KJCCC Field Athlete of the Week giving Barton a sweep of the women's awards. Silva, who owns the top hammer throw mark at 58.61m, won Saturday's event at 55.76m (182-11). Ranking third on the program's shot put chart with a 15.92m throw, Silva's 14.43m (47-04.25) splash in the sand was good enough for a four foot victory margin.

Graham and Silva, along with the rest of the women's and 2nd ranked men's program, begin their post-season this weekend in Arkansas City, Kansas, competing in the KJCCC/Region VI Outdoor Championships. The Cougars will start track event competition at 5:00 p.m. Friday evening with the bulk of the action taking place on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. with field events and a noon start for track events.