A portion of the nationally ranked Barton Community College track and field team program competed on Saturday at the Bethel Invitational in North Newton, Kansas.

Although the Cougars didn't add any new national qualifiers, the squad members produced eleven marks coming in either their first outdoor event or set new personal bests during the one-day meet.

Jaiden Leighton was the lone entry from the 2nd ranked women's team, timing a personal best 12.48 in the 100m to finish 5th and adding a 2nd place finish in the 200m at 26.06.

Malachi Carter led the 2nd ranked men's squad entries on two personal bests, winning the 200m in 22.28 and a 2nd place finish in the 100 at 10.71.

The Cougars added a 3rd and 8th in the 200m behind Carter, Noah Kincade clocking a 22.42 with Joshua Koffi's first time in the event producing a 22.94. Koffi would also take on the long jump for the first time, resulting in a 5th placing at 6.39m.

A trio of other Cougars competed in the sprint for the first time of the outdoor season, Marlon Wordlow finished 11th in the 100m at 11.11 as Jayden Wiley posted a personal best 11.48 to place 22nd and competed in the 200m for the first time for a 26th place 24.19 time.

Jayden Singleton's first attempt at the outdoor 110m hurdles was good for 2nd place at 15.23, just ahead of Carlos Bell's best time of 15.60 for 3rd while Daqwon Wilson finished in 7th at 16.63.

In the middle distance events, soccer standout turned trackster Tajay Grant placed 4th in the 800m at 2:03.37 while in the shorter 400m event, Manjot Singh clocked a 51.37 for 6th with Daniel Cox' first attempt at the one-time around the oval ended up in 17th at 54.02.

Barton remains in-state for the rest of its regular season schedule beginning next Saturday at Emporia State University's Midwest Classic followed by the Rock Chalk Classic in Lawrence on April 29.

Barton Women Results:
100m: 5th Jaiden Leighton (PB 12.48)
200m: 2nd Jaiden Leighton (26.06)

Barton Men Results:
Long Jump: 5th Joshua Koffi (PB 6.39m *1st Time)
1500m: 4th Ian Doss (4:20.87)
100m: 2nd Malachi Carter (PB 10.71), 11th Marlon Wordlow (PB 11.11 *1st Time), 22nd Jayden Wiley (PB 11.48)
200m: 1st Malachi Carter (PB 22.28), 3rd Noah Kincade (22.42), 8th Joshua Koffi (PB 22.94 *1st Time), 26th Jayden Wiley (PB 24.19 *1st Time)
110m Hurdles: 2nd Jayden Singleton (PB 15.23 *1st Time), 3rd Carlos Bell (PB 15.60), 7th Daqwon Wilson (16.63)
400m: 6th Manjot Singh (51.37), 17th Daniel Cox (PB 54.02 *1st Time)
800m: 4th Tajay Grant (2:03.37)