Dallas Baptist University Athletics

Freshman Tabbitha Ashford, from Killeen, Texas is the Athlete Spotlight for the month of January. Ashford was a First Team All-Conference Honoree during the 2007 season and is entering her first collegiate track season after a very successful high school career at Shoemaker High School in Killeen, Texas.

During the fall, Ashford placed 2nd overall at the UT-Tyler Patriot Invitational, 13th out of 183 at the Oklahoma State Jamboree, and 6th place at the Heartland Conference Championships. She set personal bests for the 5000 meters and 6000 meters in the fall by running times of 18:54 and 23:03 respectively.

Ashford will look to contribute to the Patriots Track success in the 5000 meters in which she hopes to follow in the footsteps of past Patriot runners by competing for a National Championship in the event.

"Tabb has excellent range as a runner, but she's definitely shown the potential to be a great 5000 meter runner," said Head Coach Jacob Phillips, "I'm so proud of the work she's put in over the winter and can't wait to see her capitalize on the fitness she's gained."

Ashford will compete in the 5000m at the Missouri Southern Invite and the University of Houston Bayou Classic during the Indoor Season and then at the UTA Arlington Invite in March and the Texas Relays in April.

"It should be a very exciting winter and spring for the ladies team and Tabbitha will be a huge part of that," said Phillips.