FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Harding women's track and field team utilized the Friday night lights of the Arkansas Twilight to make a final surge up the national leaderboards, highlighted by a school record in the 4x100-meter relay and a massive season-best from Tetiana Kharashchuk.

Competing at John McDonnell Invitational on the campus of the University of Arkansas, the Lady Bisons focused on improving their qualifying marks for the upcoming NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships.

Relay Records Fall
The quartet of Tetiana Kharashchuk, Leila Ngapout, Kewes Gomes, and Jerlana Williams delivered the performance of the night in the 4x100-meter relay. The group clocked an impressive 45.25 seconds, breaking the school record they had set earlier this spring on the very same track. The time currently ranks the Lady Bisons 16th in Division II, firmly placing them in the conversation for a national invitation.

Harding also made significant strides in the 4x400-meter relay. The team of Jayden Bowman, Ngapout, Sharon Strydom, and Kharashchuk shaved time off their season best, finishing in 3:42.86. That mark moves them up to 24th nationally.

Kharashchuk Shines in the 400m
Kharashchuk enjoyed a career evening, providing a major spark in the individual 400 meters. She finished fifth in a loaded field with a season-best time of 53.98 seconds. The performance was a critical move for the senior, as she now sits at 16th in the national rankings, improving her chances of securing a spot in the individual event at nationals.

Field and Distance Highlights
In the throwing circles, freshman Yedidya Bangue continued her dominant spring by winning the shot put with a mark of 15.11m (49-07.00). It was another consistent outing for Bangue, who already ranks among the top 10 in the country.

Senior Cadence Sansom earned a second-place finish in the pole vault, clearing 4.10m (13-05.25) on her first attempt at that height. On the track, Leila Ngapout added a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter dash (11.91), while Kaia Bieker (2:12.98) and Sharon Strydom (2:13.46) led the way for the distance crew in the 800 meters.

Up Next
The Lady Bisons will have one final opportunity to refine their marks on home soil. Harding will host the Mother's Day Last Chance Meet this Sunday at the Ted and Marcie Lloyd Track and Field Complex. Following Sunday's action, the Lady Bisons will wait for the official announcement of the NCAA Division II national qualifiers.