RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - After a strong showing at the 2022 Great American Conference Outdoor Championships in Shawnee, Okla. that saw multiple members claim spots on All-GAC lists for events, the first-ever conference champion in program history and the fourth place overall team finish, the Arkansas Tech women's track & field team closes the door on a phenomenal season.

The 2022 outdoor season for the Golden Suns saw numerous personal records set, multiple first-place finishes, a plethora of top-three finishes, high placement on the GAC leaderboards and strong position in national rankings. 

The Golden Suns produced a top-three finish in at least one event in every single meet they competed in this season, even among meets with NCAA Division I level competition such as the Bob Larsen Distance Invitational in Los Angeles, Calif. where they faced off against programs such as UCLA and UNLV. Sophomore Karina Maravillas produced a big performance in the 5K at the Bob Larsen Distance Invitational with an 18:18.15 time which earned her second place against the fierce competition.

In terms of All-GAC, which is given to athletes who finish in the top eight at the GAC Meet, Ashlynn Mays, Maravillas, Morganne Browning and Marcie Cudworth all make the list for the 10K race. In the 3000m Steeplechase, Browning, Mary Beth Bailey and Mandy Sykora all claim a spot on All-GAC for the event. Browning came in first for the Steeplechase which made her the first conference champion in program history. Maravillas and Felicity West each grab a place on All-GAC in the 800, while Cudworth, Mays and Bailey break into All-GAC for the 5000m race. Finally, the 4x400m relay team comprised of Maravillas, Browning, Bailey and West claim All-GAC honors. 
 

NATIONAL STANDINGS

(NATIONAL RANKINGS)

While the Golden Suns hold strong position in the GAC leaderboards, they also have a great showing on the national stage in the 5K, 10K and 3000m Steeplechase. 

In the 5K, the Golden Suns sit at No. 36 in the country for Division II with a total time of 1:11.50 and a 17:57.54 average. The four individuals that make up the scored times are Bailey, Mays, Calli Beshore and Maravillas.

Arkansas Tech sits in the top ten for the 10K at No. 10 overall with a 2:31.41 total time and a 37:55.27 average. Mays, Maravillas, Browning and Cudworth comprise the list of the four scoring times used.

Closing out the list of top events in the national rankings is the 3000m Steeplechase where the Golden Suns once again find themselves in the top ten across the country for Division II at No. 8 overall. Tech has a total time of 45:53.56 with an average time of 11:28.39 for the event. The list of scorers for the Golden Suns in the national 3000m Steeplechase rankings are Beshore, Bailey, Browning and Sykora.