NATCHITOCHES - There's a name change, well deserved, for Northwestern State's biggest annual home track and field meet, and the level of competition will be as top-shelf as it always is for Saturday's The Leon Johnson NSU Invitational.
NSU coaches believe perhaps a half-dozen Walter Ledet Complex records, and a few NSU school records, could tumble during the competition that is attracting at least seven Southland Conference teams, several nationally-competitive unattached athletes, and at least 17 teams.
Athletes or relay teams with 34 performances that rank among the national top 50 in their events are slated to compete Saturday. Ten of those marks fit into the top 25 in those events, with three ranking in the top 10.
Field events will begin at 10 a.m., with running starting at 1. Competition should conclude about 5 since the running events are on a rolling time schedule, with the 4x100 meter relay second on the schedule and culminating with the 4x400 relay.
The meet has been renamed to honor Johnson, who is in his 29th year heading the track and field program at NSU. A ceremony recognizing him will be held at 12:45, shortly before the running events begin. It is believed to be the only collegiate track and field meet in the country named for an active coach.
Saturday's competition is the first of three home meets in the next month. The Demon Invitational follows on April 30, and the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships will be at the Ledet Complex May 13-15.
Getting experience competing on NSU's speedy Mondo track as preparation for the conference meet has helped bring league rivals Stephen F. Austin, Texas-Arlington, Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls, McNeese, and Sam Houston State to Saturday's competition.
The Demons could be without three top sprinters, sophomores Justin Walker, Kendal Taylor and freshman Jarrod Charles, due to injuries.
"We will overcome and we will compete," said Johnson. "Our athletes get very excited competing at home."
Lady Demons head coach Mike Heimerman expects his full squad to compete, including All-America shot putter Trecey Rew, who ranks 13th nationally in the discus (174-8) and 23rd in the shot put (52-3 ¾).
"What we did (last week) at the Texas Relays was a huge disappointment for us, other than a couple of performances, but we've had some good practices since then," said Heimerman. "We're going to have great competition and it should be a good, good meet.
"Our athletes not only love competing at home, but they are very excited to compete in the meet that has been renamed for Coach Johnson," said Heimerman.
