Women's Track & Field February 27, 2020

Rangers Ready for Great American Conference Championship

ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University's indoor track and field team aims for a strong finish in the Great American Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships beginning on Friday at the Mosier Indoor Facility in Norman, Okla.

"We are looking forward to the second GAC Indoor Championship," Northwestern Head Coach Jill Lancaster said. "We are coming off an impressive championship performance last year, with All-Conference performances in the jumps and 1600-meter relay. We are looking to make an impact this season with our added depth."

The Red-and-Black is coming off a strong performance at the Central Oklahoma Alumni Classic, setting numerous personal bests and school records. The meet in Norman was the largest meet of the year, going into the conference meet there are eight teams expected to participate this upcoming weekend.

Briley Yunker, a freshman from Enid, Okla., leads the Rangers holding three school records. She holds the record for the 800-meters, the 4x400-meter relay and the distance medley. Including the three Yunker records, there have been eight set by Northwestern this season. Jaya Barnes has the top mark in the 600-yard race, Ladasheray Bell holds the time to beat in the 600-meters, in the one mile run Jasmin Garcia holds the top spot, Camille Lear has the record in the 3000-meters, while Selena McDonald has the best high jump. Joining Yunker on the 4x400 relay is Barnes, Abrianna Orona and IceLei Duke and on the distance medley is Mariah Malloy, Bell and Kayla Gourley.

The Red-and-Black is currently ranked in three events by the NCAA Division II Performance list. The distance medley is slated at 17th, ranked 29th in the region is the 4x400 relay and McDonald is holding the 45th spot in the high jump.

"There is no double this is a youthful team," Lancaster stated. "This team will continue to move forward and most of all continue to gain valuable experience in the head-to-head battle with the conference teams. They are ready to take on this challenge. There are two historic teams in Oklahoma Baptist and Harding, that look to battle out for the top team as they did last spring in the outdoor championship. Our goal is to close the gap between these two teams.

In 2019, the Rangers finished in sixth place with 25 total points, Oklahoma Baptist won the championship with 234 points. Northwestern's Cayla Smither set the record while winning the triple jump.

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Players Mentioned

Ladasheray Bell: Mid-Distance; Sophomore; Mid-Distance

Camille Lear: Distance; Sophomore; Distance

Selena McDonald: High Jump; Redshirt Sophomore; High Jump

Cayla Smither: Jumps; Senior; Jumps

Jasmin Garcia: Mid-Distance; Freshman

Briley Yunker: Mid-Distance; Freshman

Mariah Malloy: Mid-Distance; Freshman

Abrianna Orona: Mid-Distance; Freshman

Jaya Barnes: Sprints; Freshman; Sprints

IceLei Duke: Sprints; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ladasheray Bell
: Sophomore; Mid-Distance
: Mid-Distance

Camille Lear
: Sophomore; Distance
: Distance

Selena McDonald
: Redshirt Sophomore; High Jump
: High Jump

Cayla Smither
: Senior; Jumps
: Jumps

Jasmin Garcia
: Freshman
: Mid-Distance

Briley Yunker
: Freshman
: Mid-Distance

Mariah Malloy
: Freshman
: Mid-Distance

Abrianna Orona
: Freshman
: Mid-Distance

Jaya Barnes
: Freshman; Sprints
: Sprints

IceLei Duke
: Freshman
: Sprints