LAKE CHARLES – Northwestern State begins the outdoor track and field season Saturday at the Bob Hayes Louisiana Challenge meet hosted by McNeese State, starting an eight-week run toward the Southland Conference Conference Outdoor Championships May 9-11.

Field events begin at 9, with running underway at noon on the McNeese campus with NSU and McNeese joined by Southeastern Louisiana, Louisiana-Lafayette, Xavier, the Nicholls women, Texas Southern's women, and Southwest Christian Community College in the field of entrants.

Only a few individual running events will be contested as the bulk of the races will be relays – the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, the sprint medley and the distance medley.

NSU's team hasn't competed since the Southland Conference Indoor Championships Feb. 25-26, and most athletes are still in training cycles at the outset of the outdoor season, said NSU coach Mike Heimerman.

"Most of our athletes are working through this meet. The throwers had a pretty heavy weight session Thursday," said Heimerman. "But we are hoping for some good marks, and to establish a base to build from going through the next two months."

The Demons, whose 4x100 team earned All-America honors last season, figure to shine in the sprint relays, led by All-Americans Justin Walker and Gabe White. NSU's men will have a strong entry in hurdler Brent Giddens.

Freshman high jumper Quenton Helaire, third at the Southland Indoors, has posted personal bests in his last two meets indoors. Heimerman is hoping for a good mark also from Alex Washington.

With Southland Indoor long and triple jump champion Emmanuel Williams competing Friday night at the NCAA Indoor Championships, his twin brother Aaron will be in the spotlight as he comes out of a redshirt season indoors. Heimerman believes Aaron Williams is primed for a good outdoor season.

The Lady Demons have star seniors Quiana Griffin (sprints) and Consuela Lindsay (hurdles, relays) and should also be formidable in the jumps.

NSU went 1-2 at the Southland Indoors in the women's triple jump with sophomore Por'sha Thomas and freshman Taylor Walker. In the long jump, the Lady Demons will hope for good marks by Kenyah McDaniel, Jaynisha Berry and Thomas. Freshman Mawi Berkhadley and senior Nicole Hajka.

"Our jumpers are taking a laid-back approach because their events coach (Wesley Miller) has been out in New Mexico with Emmanuel at the national meet, so they've trained on their own the last few days and that may really work out well," said Heimerman. "Without having their coach there, sometimes athletes relax and good things happen. It varies from athlete to athlete but we'll hope for good things and see how it plays out."

The throws should be strengths for the NSU women, who have sophomore Rechelle Bessard, the Southland Indoor champion in the weight throw along with other veterans. Keona Jackson, redshirted indoors, will throw the hammer and shot put. Bessard and Shakemia Johnson should make the discus one of the Lady Demons' top events. NSU will probably not open its two talented javelin competitors for a while, with Ashley Aldredge LaCour and Jessica Talley training and not expected to compete anytime soon, said Heimerman.

The dynamic duo of Griffin and Lindsay has Heimerman excited.

"I'm really looking forward to the 400 hurdles with our school record holder (Lindsay), who has rekindled a little flame for the sport and is looking really, really sharp. I wouldn't be surprised if she runs a really good time, and (freshman) Nijah Lane might also," he said.

"Queen (Griffin) also has that renewed commitment. She and Connie know it's their last season and they have the drive to make it the best it can be," said Heimerman. "That's a pretty good pair of competitors to set the tone for us."

They will also be the keys on the 4x400 team that is coming off a school record last spring.

"We had a pretty good indoor season, and now we add events that play to our strengths with both the men and women," said Heimerman. "We are excited about this season."