Smith sprints into program record book, Barton women's track and field open season with eleven national qualifying performances at Baker Invitational #GoBarton

The Barton Community College women's track and field team began their indoor portion of the 2025 slate Saturday in Manhattan competing in the Thane Baker Invitational held at Kansas State University's Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track.

Taking on mostly fellow junior college competitors, as well as, additional athletes from both KSU and the University, Barton chalked up thirteen Top-3 finishes with 11 national qualifying performances including two making an impact on the program record book.

One of those achievements came in the 60m where sophomore Keliza Smith sprinted her way into the 9th slot of Barton history clocking a 7.33 time to finish second in the event.

Out of the five event winners on the day, Cedricka Williams picked up where she left off from last season as one of five sophomore performances recording a personal best by matching her program 9th furthest weight throw distance of 16.83m (55-2.75). Williams would also meet national standards in the shot put at 12.66m (41-06.50) as freshman Zadie Mackey punched her ticket with a two-inch better toss of 12.72m (41-08.75).

Other event winners in personal best times were sophomores Kaila Claiborne in the 400m (59.23) and Shone Walters' national qualifying in the 800m (2:16.22). Asharria Ulett rounded out the victors with an impressive 60m hurdle debut of 8.68 in beating out fellow freshman Ty'yanah Adams' 8.89 as both exceeded national qualifying standards.

Barton also qualified its 4x400m relay team, the first of two squads entered in the meet headlined by Smith and Walters being joined freshmen Natasha Fox and Celine Riddle for an event winning time of 3:47.30. The Cougars' second tandem of Ulett, Kialia Claiborne, Alexia Walker, and Destany Johnson placed third in 4:06.71.

Riddle also punched her ticket in two additional events, marking the same long jump distance as sophomore Chloe Perryman (5.65m, 18-06.50) and adding the triple jump with a 12.20m (40-00.50) mark.

Barton remains in state for its next meet coming up Saturday at the NAIA/JUCO Challenge held at Pittsburg State University's Plaster Center.

Complete Thane Baker Invitational results

Barton Women's Results
60m: 2nd Keliza Smith (PB NQ 7.33 *9th Program Best), 6th Takeila Williams (7.86), 8th Ty'yanah Adams (7.98 *7.88 in prelims), 10th Chloe Perryman (7.96), 11th Kennidra Spigner (7.96), 13th Kamya Gould (8.08)
200m: 3rd Kayda Austin (25.06), 7th Natasha Fox (25.74), 10th Alexia Walker (26.23), 13th Makiya Mosley (27.51)
400m: 1st Kialia Claiborne (PB 59.23)
800m: 1st Shone Walters (PB NQ 2:16.22), 4th Alissandra Jackson (2:31.77)
3000m: 8th Lakota Schultz (11:31.90)
60m Hurdles: 1st Asharria Ulett (NQ 8.68 *8.65 in Prelims), 2nd Ty'yanah Adams (NQ 8.89), 6th Widlife Vermilus (PB 9.60), 7th Alexia Walker (9.76 *9.57 in Prelims)
4x400m Relay: 1st "A" NQ 3:47.30 (Natasha Fox, Celine Riddle, Shone Walters, Keliza Smith), 3rd "B" 4:06.71 (Alexia Walker, Destany Johnson, Asharria Ulett, Kialia Claiborne)
Long Jump: 2nd Chloe Perryman (NQ 5.65m, 18-06.50), 3rd Celine Riddle (NQ 5.65m, 18-06.50), 4th Kymia Bridgett (5.38m, 17-08.00), 10th Makiya Mosley (4.79m, 15-08.75)
Triple Jump: 2nd Celine Riddle (NQ 12.20m, 40.00.50)
Shot Put: 3rd Zadie Mackey (NQ 12.72m, 41-08.75), 5th Cedricka Williams (NQ 12.66m, 41-06.50)
Weight Throw: 1st Cedricka Williams (T-PB NQ 16.83m, 55-02.75 *Tied 9th Program Best), 5th Zadie Mackey (14.20m, 46-07.25)