Iowa Central Men, Barton County Women Capture NJCAA Indoor T&F National Titles

Champions were crowned at the 2019 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships!

Iowa Central CC pulled away late to win the men’s team title, while Barton (Kan.) CC eventually ran away with the women’s team title in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Men’s Story

Through 10 events, the scoreboard read: South Plains (Texas) 42, Central Arizona 38, Iowa Central 37.5, Barton County (Kan.) 36, Cloud County (Kan.) 35, Coffeyville (Kan.) 34.5. Needless to say it was still anybody’s guess as to who would win the national title.

But that’s when the Tritons kicked it into overdrive. Iowa Central scored 53.5 points over the final 10 events of the meet to earn a 10.5-point victory over Barton County, 90.5-80.

Courtney Lindsey and Awet Yohannes led the way for the Tritons as they combined for 40.5 points. Lindsey and Yohannes both starred individual and as part of relay teams. The former was national champion in the 200 and helped Iowa Central to a runner-up finish in the 4×400, while the latter won the 3000, finished runner-up in the mile and anchored the first-place DMR team.

Cloud County and Coffeyville rounded out the top-4 teams with 63 points and 59.5 points, respectively.

Women’s Story

Barton County (Kan.) finally returned to prominence.

From 1998 to 2006, the Cougars won nine consecutive indoor national titles. Since then, Barton County came up short – but 2019 would be a different story.

The Cougars put up 119 points, 16 more than runner-up New Mexico JC on the way to their 18th national title in program history.

Barton County absolutely dominated the sprints this weekend. Between the 60, 200 and 400, the Cougars scored 51 points. T’Nia Riley contributed 18 of her own as she won the 200 and finished runner-up in the 60.

South Plains (Texas) finished third in the team standings with 63 points, while Monroe College edged Iowa Central by two points for the final podium spot.