Mato wins again, Lady Cougars take 8th at Region VI Championships

The Barton Community College women's cross country team finished 8th at a very tough Region VI Championships today held at the Colby Country Club.   In what is one of the nation's top regions, the meet had three teams ranked in the NJCAA Top 10 and six overall in the Top 25.  Barton's finish was also good for 6th in the rugged Jayhawk West division as the Cougars finished the 5k race in 1:46:03 for an average of 21:12.60. 

Adding another championship to her illustrious collegiate career following her track performance this past spring, freshman Lydia Mato easily captured the race breaking away before the two-mile mark to easily win.  Averaging 5:29.2 per mile, Mato finished the race in 17:33.80 as second place finisher Grasiela Navarro came in at over a minute later at 18:50.60.

Great Bend freshman Kaitlynn Tuey continued her fantastic development throughout the season to earn All-Region honors for her 19th place finish crossing the line at 20:31.80.

Holly Pierce came in third for the Cougars as the Texas freshman placed 56th in 22:35.80.  Battling down the stretch sophomore multi-event Trenna Cox made a late push to catch teammate Dodge City freshman Yazmin Rendon both crossed in the 60th position in 22:40.80.  Lauren Samson placed 74th in 23:44.20 while Julee McAtee rounded out the Cougar runners coming in 85th at 25:19.40. 

Barton will next compete at the NJCAA Division I Championships to be held Saturday, November 8, in Lubbock, Texas.