AUSTIN, Texas – The men's 4x800 relay team of Austin McCauslin, Lawrence Jackson, Antwone Cobbin and Matt Rodell shaved almost 13 seconds off their season-best time on Thursday as the Northwestern State track and field teams began competition in the 86^th annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.
 
The 4x800 squad crossed the finish ninth in 7:45.49, 13.39 seconds faster than the group's time of 7:58.88 earlier this season at McNeese State's Bob Hayes Louisiana Challenge.
 
Brent Giddens and Kaymin Carter competed in the preliminaries of the men's 400m hurdles, running times of 57.04 (48^th) and 59.98 (53^rd), respectively.
 
Karensa Ellis was the only Lady Demon to compete at the Texas Relays on Thursday, finishing 23^rd in the 1500m 'B' group with a time of 4:46.16.
 
Along with the Texas Relays, some of the women's team competed at Texas State's Bobcat Invitational. Shakemia Johnson headlined the group at Texas State, taking first place in the discus.
 
Johnson, a junior, posted a personal-best mark of 156-01 in her winning performance, barely beating senior Janae Allen's second place mark of 155-11. Freshman Rechelle Bessard also competed in the discus, placing eighth with a personal-best throw of 147-11.
 
Sarah Jones registered the best distance for the NSU long jumpers, leaping 18-07.25 for a fourth place finish.
 
NSU will continue competition in both meets on Friday.