BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Northwestern State's hopes in the 2014 Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships beginning Wednesday are focused on individual goals which could produce optimal team finishes in the two-day competition at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

All-American senior sprinter Justin Walker and junior jumper Emmanuel Williams are gunning to sweep their specialties for the Demons while senior runners Consuela Lindsay and Quiana Griffin, and record-setting sophomore thrower Shelly Bessard, are expected to provide the core of scoring for the Lady Demons before competition concludes late Thursday afternoon. It's the third of five conference championship meets contested in 10 days at the CrossPlex, which features one of the world's eight 200-meter hydraulically-banked tracks designed by Mondo, the industry leader.

Competition begins with multi-events Wednesday morning, some field event finals Wednesday afternoon starting at 1 and qualifying heats in running events beginning at 3 on Wednesday. Thursday's field event finals start at 11 a.m. with running finals starting shortly after noon.

Mike Heimerman, now in charge of both the NSU men's and women's programs after running the women's team while legendary Leon Johnson was in charge of the men during 31 seasons, knows this year's teams aren't going to add to the four Southland indoor team titles won by Northwestern. But he is hoping for upper half finishes in the 14-team field, and is aiming for scoring near 70 points by both squads, which could push NSU in range of fourth or fifth place. The top eight finishers score in each event.

"We have some athletes who can win events, but most of our entries are people who should be ready to give their best performances of the indoor season. This is the meet we've worked toward for a long time," he said.

Walker has the Southland's top 60 meter dash time, 6.76, and is second in the 200 at 21.50. Abilene Christian's Johnathan Farquarshon is right behind at 6.77 in the 60, with five sprinters at 6.81 or faster, and the ACU sophomore is tops with a 21.47 time in the 200, where four runners are within 0.10 with their best 2014 marks.

"Justin will be our big gun in the 60 and 200 and could win both of them," said Heimerman. "That's his goal. The competition will be fierce."

Walker, Jerrod Charles, Ty Shilling, Christian Willis also are in the short sprints, with Keenan Jackson stepping onto the track for the 200-400 double.

"With a favorable time schedule, he wants to try it and we think he can do it well. He did it for the first time indoors here two weeks ago," said Heimerman. "The 200 is a different race indoors because they have to run two curves instead of one."

Jackson (48.62, ranked fifth) and Charles (49.09, ninth) are scoring threats in the 400.

Williams is the clear favorite with a 24-9 best in the long jump while he will need to soar to win the triple jump. His 50-1 ¾, while a foot better than the third-best mark, is nearly a foot behind top-ranked Charles White (51-0 ¾) of Sam Houston.

"Emmanuel is hoping to break 25-0, but first he wants to win. He's had some very good triple jump practices and feels more comfortable with what he's doing than he did earlier this season. He has a tall order to win the triple jump and get the double," said Heimerman.

NSU sophomore Zhaquan Porter is the eighth-ranked triple jumper (46-7 ¼). He scored outdoors last year, but has been hampered by injuries since, although the NSU coaches hope he will get on the scoreboard.

Sophomore Quinton Helaire could make the awards stand as one of the top three in the high jump, having posted a personal best 6-7 ¼ last Friday at LSU. Senior Alex Washington had his season best (6-3 ½) at LSU and could finish in the top eight and score for Northwestern.

"Helaire barely missed 6-9 ½ at LSU, had three phenomenal attempts. We're hoping he can get over that height here and we're definitely hoping for another podium spot," said Heimerman.

Junior Brent Giddins is the third-ranked entry in the 60 meter hurdles (8.21) and "had PRs at LSU in the prelims and finals, so he's peaking," said Heimerman. "We are hoping he can get on the podium with a top three finish after making the finals previously."

The Lady Demons' sprinters get a tone set by Griffin and Lindsay, both accomplished seniors .

"We're going to try the 2/4 double with Quiana, she's game for it, even though has only run the 200 once, but she's one of our leaders, and we're expecting a lot out of her," said Heimerman. "In the 400 she's sixth (at 56.59). She tripped and fell in the indoor final last year. She's a fighter and I think she'll push for a spot on the podium."

"Consuela had a really good meet at LSU (8.77, ninth ranked in the 60 meter hurdles) and she's healthier than she's been. She can have a season best and make the finals. (Freshman) Alexis Royal has had an up and down season and if she gets a good start, she could make the finals," he said.

Jaynisha Berry, Taylor Walker and Por'sha Thomas give the Lady Demons good scoring potential in the horizontal jumps.

"Jaynisha is learning the ropes and developing consistency. She could pop a 19-foot jump and battle for a spot on podium. In the triple jump, Por'sha went 38-11 ¾ (third in the Southland) at LSU, is riding momentum, and it wouldn't be surprising if she had a big day. Kayla is really consistent, especially for a freshman, and is fifth ranked (38-5)," said Heimerman.

Freshman Mawardi Berkhadley soared into championship contention with a 5-6 ½ clearance last week at LSU. That's a half-inch shy of the league's best mark.

"She has been looking really good. She made some good attempts at 5-9 at LSU, and she could break into our career top five in that event and it wouldn't surprise me," he said.

Berkhadley will be competing in the heptathlon for the first time and could score in her first Southland Indoors, said Heimerman.

Former Lady Demon volleyball player Nicole Hajka may provide bonus points in the high jump, where she could top her 5-0 ¼ best.

"She is starting to shake off the rust, for somebody who played four seasons of college volleyball and hasn't jumped competitively since high school. I believe she'll score and that will be a huge step forward for somebody who started training in January," said Heimerman. "It's been fun with her."

Bessard broke the school record with her 58-8 ¼ weight throw last Friday at LSU and is the third-ranked entry, but 10 feet behind McNeese stalwart La'Shantena Rounds.

"Shelly can get on the podium in the shot and weight throw. In the weight throw, the goal is to be second – first is out of reach with Rounds at No. 11 in the country," said Heimerman. "She wants to hit 60 feet. In the shot put, I can see a mark between 46-47 feet, putting her in a battle for a top three spot, if she will have a good technique day."

Bessard is the sixth seed in the shot (44-4 ¼) while teammate Kwanzaa Andrus, a freshman, is eighth at 42-10 ¾. Senior Shekemia Johnson will join them in both throwing events.

Live results will be available through the Southland.org website.

The competition will be the last indoors of the season. The outdoor season begins March 15 at Louisiana Tech's Jim Mize Invitational.