Southeastern Invitational results

HAMMOND – Northwestern State All-America sprinter Justin Walker ran a season-best 10.23, the nation's 15th fastest 100 meter dash time this spring, to headline four first places for the Demons and Lady Demons Friday at the Southeastern Invitational track and field meet.
 
Along with Walker's win, NSU got victories from Keona Jackson in the women's shot put with a personal and Southland Conference-best 49-8 ¼,  by Nijah Lain in the women's 400 meter hurdles (1:04.37), and from Aaron Williams in the men's long jump (24-3 ½).
 
The Lady Demons had 14 finishes in the top five, while the Demons added eight.
 
Walker, whose previous season-best mark of 10.29 ranked 22^nd nationally, will run the 200 and on the 4x100 meter relay Saturday at Baton Rouge as the Northwestern teams head west 40 miles to compete in the LSU Alumni Gold Invitational.
 
Improving by a foot and moving into third in the Southland Conference, Kenyah McDaniel had a personal record 19-3 ½ for second in the women's long jump. She also posted a pair of thirds in the sprints, running 12.30 in the 100 and 25.10 in the 200, matching her personal records in each race.
 
Keenan Jackson ran a season-best 48.01 to take silver in the men's 400 meter dash and move into sixth place on the Southland Conference top 10.
 
Por'sha Thomas was the runner-up in the triple jump with a mark of 38-8 ¼.
 
Rechelle Bessard took second in the discus Friday (152-9) after third in the hammer (171-9) Thursday. Jackson was fourth in the hammer (167-0).
 
In her first competition in nearly two years, Ashley Aldredge Lacour took third in the javelin with a 136-3 mark. Teammate Shakemia Johnson was third in the women's discus (151-9).
 
The Lady Demons' 4x100 relay unit of Keshira McKnight, Consuela Lindsay, Quiana Griffin and Jaynisha Berry took third in 47.02. Quinton Helaire cleared 6-4 ¾ for fourth in the men's high jump.
 
Brent Giddens ran fourth in the 400 meter hurdles with a 55.67 time. Zhaquan Porter went 44-6 ¼ for fourth in the men's triple jump.
 
The Lady Demons got a fifth by Kershira McKnight with a  12.29 time in the 100, and another by Mawi Berkhadley in the high jump (5-5). Alex Washington (6-2 ¾) gave the NSU men a fifth place in the high jump, while Ty Shilling threw 170-4 to take fifth in the javelin.
 
Next Saturday, the only home meet of the season for Northwestern will be staged with The Leon Johnson NSU Invitational.