MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Senior Josie Parks and Cadence Sansom successfully defended their top seeds while freshman Yedidya Bangue secured her first career conference crown, propelling the No. 10-ranked Harding Lady Bisons to a commanding lead after the second day of the Great American Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

With 95.50 points through eight events, Harding holds a 53.5-point lead over second-place Oklahoma Baptist heading into the final day of competition.

Women's Team Standings (Through Day 2)

1. Harding – 95.50

2. Oklahoma Baptist – 42

3. Southern Nazarene – 41.50

4. Ouachita Baptist – 38.50

5. Southern Arkansas – 35.50

6. Northwestern Oklahoma – 31

7. Arkansas Tech – 18

8. East Central – 5

9. Southeastern Oklahoma – 5

Championship Finals
Josie Parks delivered a tactical masterpiece in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, shattering the GAC Championship record with a time of 10:28.02. After trailing in fourth place early in the race, Parks surged into the lead during the final 400 meters, outkicking the field to secure 10 points for the Lady Bisons.

In the pole vault, senior Cadence Sansom remained the gold standard. Sansom cleared 3.95 meters (12-11.50) to win the event, leading a massive 23.5-point haul that saw Mariia Yashchenko (3.43m) take third, Karyna Vehner (3.43m) tie for fourth, and Eliza Dye (8th) also score.

Freshman Yedidya Bangue continued her breakout season in the shot put, claiming the GAC title with a toss of 15.16 meters (49-08.75). Bangue reached her winning mark on her third attempt, winning the event by over a meter.

The Lady Bisons also displayed championship depth in the multi-events and jumps:

• Heptathlon: Freshman Roselyn Spencer earned silver (5,219 points) and Carly Tucker took bronze (4,780 points). With Kiera Bartlett (6th) and Celeste Puga (8th) also scoring, the group netted 21 team points.

• Long Jump: Harding athletes secured the silver and bronze spots, as Carly Tucker and Roselyn Spencer both recorded marks of 5.76 meters (18-10.75). Freshman Eva Gommier added a sixth-place finish (5.40m).

Preliminary Heat Highlights
While the finals provided the points, the preliminary heats set the stage for a potentially historic Friday. Sharon Strydom provided the highlight of the afternoon, clocking a 2:10.89 in the 800-meter prelims to set a new GAC Championship record.

Harding also qualified heavily in the following events:

• 100m Dash: Leila Ngapout (11.76 - top qualifier) and Kewes Gomes (12.00).

• 200m Dash: Leila Ngapout (24.55).

• 400m Dash: Tetiana Kharashchuk (54.14) and Jayden Bowman (56.02).

• 100m Hurdles: Kewes Gomes (14.39), Roselyn Spencer (14.83), and Kiera Bartlett (15.16).

• 400m Hurdles: Carly Tucker (1:05.81).

• 800m Run: Strydom (2:10.89), Kaia Bieker (2:11.67), and Tetiana Kharashchuk (2:15.23).

The final day of the GAC Championships begins tomorrow, with the Lady Bisons looking to clinch their fifth GAC title and first since 2021.