NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State jumpers have topped the Southland Conference charts as a unit for the past three seasons, and the program added two female jumpers in the early signing period with the idea of staying on top.

Texas native Jasmyn Steels and Louisiana product Brooke Petkovich recently signed national letters of intent to join the NSU track and field program.

Steels, an A&M Consolidated High School jumper, has posted personal bests that rank in the top 50 nationally in her respective events among her Class of 2016 peers.

The 5-foot-5 leaper recorded marks of 39 feet, 7 inches in the triple jump (16^th in the nation, fourth in Texas), 5 feet, 6 inches in the high jump (38^th in the nation, fifth in Texas) and 18 feet, 10.5 inches in the long jump (49^th in the nation, seventh in Texas).

"Jasmyn is a very special jumper, and she has the potential to keep NSU at the top of the conference and follow a great tradition of jumpers here for the next four years," said Wesley Miller, an NSU assistant coach in charge of jumps. "I was thrilled when she called telling me she wanted to compete at NSU in the long, triple and high jumps, and I believe she has only scratched the surface of her potential."

Steels was a state finalist this past season in the triple jump, high jump and 100 meter hurdles in Class 5A in Texas.

Petkovich is no stranger to success at her state's biggest meet either.

The Mount Carmel Academy jumper has three podium finishes in the triple jump at state meets during her Louisiana high school career.

Her top mark in the triple jump is 35 feet, 11.5 inches, while her long jump personal best is 17 feet, 4 inches.

Petkovich also posted a 3.79 GPA.

"I am very excited to sign Brooke for the 2016 season," Miller said. "She is a jumper I have been watching closely for the past couple of years, and I know she will bring a lot to the group.

"She is a hard worker as evidenced by her performances on and off the track, and she'll be a great fit as a horizontal jumper here at NSU."