Virginia Beach, Virginia -
Patreece Clarke: A Top-Tier National Champion
In the most impressive hurdle performance in New Mexico Highlands program history,
Patreece Clarke secured the national title in the 60m hurdles. Her winning time of 8.13 eclipsed second place by nearly two-tenths of a second.
"That's an unheard of dominance," noted HU head coach
Bob DeVries. "You just don't win nationals by that margin."
Clarke's performance did more than just earn her a trophy; it tied her as the 7th fastest performer in the history of NCAA Division II. Clarke's execution in the final established her as one of the elite hurdlers to ever compete at the DII level.
Ashley Barrett: Consistency and the Record Books
Ashley Barrett continued an incredible run of career consistency, earning All-American honors for the third consecutive year. Barrett finished 7th in a deep 200m final, but her highlight of the meet came in the preliminary round.
Barrett clocked a personal best of 23.81 to break the NMHU indoor school record-a mark previously held by Jillisa Grant since 2013. Notably, Grant set that record during her own national championship victory, underscoring the high caliber of Barrett's performance this weekend.
"Ashley bounced back after a disappointment in the 60-meter prelims," said DeVries. "She ran the best 200 of her career when she had to have it "
DeVries praised the work of assistant coach
Damia Russell in preparing both athletes for the national stage.
"I've been around this sport a long time, and what coach Russell is doing with these athletes is outstanding. He's the one in the trenches doing the technical work every day to get them ready for this level. These results are a direct reflection of his coaching and the work he's put in with Ashley and Patreece."
Reflecting on the team's overall performance and the mindset required to compete at this level, DeVries noted the importance of the daily grind.
"At the end of the day, determination isn't just a word you throw around—it's the standard you set for yourself every single day at practice. You don't just show up and win national championships or break decade-old records; you earn that right through the work nobody sees. These women proved exactly what Highlands track is all about."
