As more and more female track and field athletes find their way to The University of Memphis from the Barton County Community College Jayhawks in Great Bend, Kan., the more success the Tigers are likely to have this season.
"Barton County has perennial national champions and they produce around 10 Olympians a year," said Kelly Davis, assistant media relations director for The U of M.
Throwers Nikole Jackson and Susan King will join current Tiger All-American Gail Lee as three representatives from Barton County. Jackson and King each helped the Jayhawks to a national championship in 2004 and 2005.
Jackson is a two-time NJCAA All-American in the shot put and weight throw while King was a NJCAA national champion in the discus and four-time NJCAA All-American.
"They will definitely contribute here," said Kevin Robinson, assistant women's track and field coach and specialty events coach. "Most of the time, junior college athletes wouldn't be so far along. They are from such a good junior college program."
Having any kind of national champion, whether it be junior college or not, is always a boost to any program, Robinson said.
"They are phenomenal athletes," he said. "Anytime you have a national champion associated with your program is great."
While transferees Jackson and King each competed in a lower division last year, they still put up Division-1 numbers, Robinson said.
"They are both excellent," he said. "Both of their marks last season would have placed midlevel in our conference last year. We are going to improve on that this year assuming I don't screw them up."
While most athletes might not strive to improve on a national championship year, King said she knows this year will be more of a challenge.
"I came from a juco school so I am really excited to be here," she said. "Hopefully my skill will improve this year as well."
Even though King will be expected to contribute to the Tiger's team from the start, pressure to perform has never been a distraction, she said.
"I feel a little pressure but I am just going to do what I do," King said. "I expect a lot out of me as well."
High expectations are what has made King a national champion and she is hoping to improve on last year's numbers this season, King said.
"I want to improve on both of my events at least five feet (on her throws) from what I did in nationals last year," she said.
That kind of improvement should make a successful season for the Tigers this year, Robinson said.
