The Butler track & field team was at full strength on Saturday at the Pittsburg State Invitational and they showed it as 23 mores tickets were punch to the NJCAA Indoor Championships.

"I believe this was one of our best weekend's that we have ever had since I have been at Butler," said head coach Dustin Mettler. "Distance had a strong showing with four new qualifiers and of course our sprints teams just dominated again."

Meet highlights:

Xavier Atkins wins the 60 meter dash, again, for the third straight week. He continues to improve his time as he ran a 6.70 on Saturday. Teammates Jeremy McDowell and Mark Doyle also made the finals in the 60 meter dash and finished 6^th & 7^th running 6.79 & 6.82.

Tard Smith Jr. beat his previous personal best in the 60 meter hurdles running an 8.14, his previous best was an 8.31. the 8.14 is the 10^th fastest time in the NJCAA.

Linesha Thompson had the highest finish on the women's side coming in 2^nd in the 400 meter dash with a time of 56.60, a national qualifying time and the third fastest this season in the NJCAA. Thompson also came in 5^th in the 60 meter dash running a 7.54

Michelle Sanchez finished 19^th in the 5000 meter run but knocked a minute off her personal best. She ran a 18:38.52, the 6^th fastest time in the NJCAA this indoor season.

Shanique Masters and Zadie St. Louis finished 15^th & 16^th in the women's 800 meter run with times of 2:18.95 and 219.16. They are currently ranked 8^th & 9^th in the NJCAA this season in that event.

The women's Distance medley Relay team finished 5^th at the meet running a 12:58.22, qualified for nationals and currently hold the 3^rd fastest time in the NJCAA in that event. 

Women's Results: Top 10 Finishers

Linesha Thompson- 2^nd 400m dash, 56.60

Linesha Thompson- 5^th 60meter dash 7.54

DMR (Zadie St. Louis, Morgan Cossey, Shanique Masters, Michelle Sanchez) 5^th 12:58.22

Kaleb McDonald- 8^th 200m dash, 24.89

4x400m relay (Kaleb McDonald, Shawnakay Peart, Ann Dangha, Linesha Thompson)- 9^th 3:57.39

Men's Results: Top 10 Finishers

Xavier Atkins- 1^st 60meter dash, 6.70

Tard Smith Jr.- 3^rd 60meter Hurdles, 8.14

Judah Taylor- 4^th 400m dash, 47.91

Baylor Hendren- 6^th High Jump, 1.91

Jeremy McDowell- 6^th 60meter dash, 6.79

Jeremy McDowell- 6^th 200m dash, 21.48

Nick Taylor- 7^th High Jump, 1.88

Mark Doyle- 7^th 60meter dash, 6.82

Judah Taylor- 7^th 200m dash, 21.55

Cardet Bienvenue- 9^th 200m dash, 21.66

Arlon Williams- 10^th 200m dash, 21.67

"All across the board it was a great meet," commented Mettler. "Our jumpers have a ton of talent but just haven't quite hit their stride yet but other than that I like where are team is right now."

The Grizzlies will head to Lincoln, NE for the Huskers Invitational where they will get to compete against athletes of all divisions.

"Being able to compete against other athletes at the Division I level really gives our kids a confidence booster. It shows them that they can run or jump with anyone at any level. Beating a four-year school gives these kids a lot of confidence," said Mettler.

New National Qualifiers:

Women:

Kaleb McDonald- 200m 9^th NJCAA 24.89

Linesha Thompson- 3^rd in 400 NJCAA 56.60

Michelle Sanchez- 5k 18:38.52 6^th in NJCAA

DMR- 12:58.22 3^rd in NJCAA

Men:

Jared Elcock- 60m 6.80 13^th in NJCAA

Mark Doyle- 60m 6.82 19^th in NJCAA

Ollie McGee- 6.86 29^th in NJCAA

Arlon Williams- 6.87 60meter 33^rd in NJCAA

Jeremy McDowell- 200 meter 21.48 10^th in NJCAA

Judah Taylor 12^th in NJCAA 200 meter 21.55

Cardet Bienvenue- 200 meter 21.66 18^th in NJCAA

Mark Doyle- 200 meter 21.88 35^th in NJCAA

Dillan Swain- 200 meter 21.88 35^th in NJCAA

Judah Taylor- 47.91 5^th in NJCAA 400 meter

Damon Brockenberry- 400 meter 48.61 15^th in NJCAA

Agerian Jackson- 20^th in NJCAA 48.70 400m

Cardet Bienvenue- 21^st 48.72 400

Tarik Xavier- 22^nd in NJCAA 800meter 1:57.37

Obadia Tanui-  9^th in NJCAA 5k 15:13.67