LUBBOCK, Texas — Picking up a top three plaque was going to be a challenge for the Barton women’s track team at the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
The Cougars gave chase, but were not able to quite make it to the podium. Instead, Barton found itself in a battle with Central Arizona for fourth.
Barton held on for that fourth spot in the final event of the day, edging out Central Arizona by three points.
New Mexico Junior College dominated the championships. Led by former Barton assistant Keith Blackwill, New Mexico JC rolled to back-to-back titles, winning the NJCAA Championship with 120 points.
South Plains snuck by Iowa Central on the final event to finish second with 90 followed by Iowa Central with 89. Barton was fourth at 69 and Central Arizona fifth with 66.
Barton had one national title winner as Latoya Stewart won the 600m title in a time of 1:32.60.
The Cougars had a trio of top three finishes with two of them coming on the track.
Mahendra McWhite led a three Cougars placing in the 60m hurdles, taking third in 8.58. Asjah Wallace was sixth in 8.80 and Olivian Jackson seventh in 8.84.
Cadeebra Calcote finished third in the 800m in a time of 2:33.84 while Latavia Maines was third in the shot put at 48-10.25.
Five separate Cougars finished in fourth.
Amanda Carty had two of those fourth place efforts in the jumps. She took fourth in the long at 19-1.25. Teammate Fiona Barnes was fifth at 18-11.75. In the triple jump, Carty was fourth with a leap of 40-9 and Barnes eighth at 38-4.25.
Barnes also took fourth in the pentathlon with a total of 3229. She was the only Cougar to place in three different events.
Also in the field, Alexis James took fourth in the weight throw with a heave of 52-3.72.
On the track, Keosho Sanders was fourth in the 60m in 7.42. Nijah Roberson finished eighth in the 400m with a time of 55.95.
The Cougars 4x400m relay team of Calcote, Jackson, Jahairah Joseph, and Sanders finished 4th in 3:45.29 to close out the meet.

NJCAA Team Scores
New Mexico JC 120, South Plains 90, Iowa Central 89, Barton 69, Central Arizona 66, Western Texas 49, Cloud County 42, Monroe 38, Cowley 35, Butler 32, Hutchinson 28, Vincennes 19, Highland 19, Garden City 14, Arkansas Baptist 9, Meridian 7.5, Colby 7, Iowa Western 6.5, Allen County 6, Paradise Valley 5.5, Coffeyville 5, Southern Idaho 5, Pima 5, Mesa 4.5, Trinidad 3, Hinds 2, Hagerstown 2, Dodge City 1, Cuyahoga 1.

Barton results Women
60m – 4 Keosho Sanders, 7.42
400m – 8 Nijah Roberson, 55.95
600m – 1 Latoya Stewart, 1:32.60
800m – 3 Cadeebra Calcote, 2:22.64
60m H – 3 Mahendra McWhite, 8.58; 6 Asjah Wallace, 8.80, 7 Olivian Jackson, 8.84
4x400m – 4 Cadeebra Calcote, Olivian Jackson, Jahairah Joseph, Keosho Sanders, 3:45.29
Long Jump – 4 Amanda Carty, 19-1.25; 5 Fiona Barnes, 18-11.75;
Triple Jump – 4 Amanda Carty, 40-9; 8 Fiona Barnes, 38-4.25
Shot Put – 3 Latavia Maines, 48-10.25
Weight Throw – 4 Alexis James, 52-3.75
Pentathlon – 4 Fiona Barnes, 3229