WINFIELD, Kan. -- The Ottawa University women's track & field team finished in fourth place at the 2022 KCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Winfield, Kan. Ottawa had two individual first place finishers, Laurel Barber in the javelin and Nina Barbeiro in the 400m hurdles. The fourth place team finish is the highest since the 2015 KCAC Outdoor Championships, when OU women's team finished third. 

OU scored a good amount of their team points in field events, accounting for 31 of the team's 67 points. The Javelin was the very first event of the championships, and Barber's first place finish started the day off strong for the Braves. Sydney Raborn and Mariah Grizzle also finished top eight in the javelin throw, while Deja Delaine and Jaine Johnson both finished in the top five of the discus throw. Barber and Grizzle also finished in the top eight in the shotput.

On the track, Mumina Millington had a strong showing by finishing fifth in the 400m with a time of 59.84. The 400m hurdles group tallied 17 team points with two other top-eight finishers behind Barbeiro in first place, Destiny Escobar(third) and Jessenia Velez(eighth). Barbeiro and Escobar's times were good enough to meet the NAIA qualifying "B" standard. Velez earned 10 points for the team, with top five finishes in the high jump and pole vault. 

From Coach Steven Paternostro
"This season was filled with personal records and school records. Now we have one of the largest groups headed to nationals in recent history. This is just the first step forward for Ottawa track & field. The accomplishment couldn't have happened without the brilliant staff we have. Next stop, Gulf Shores, Alabama!"

Up Next: Members of the OU track & field team will head to NAIA Nationals on May 25-27, 2022 at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama.