Full meet results link: http://www.flashresultstexas.com/2017/slcindoor17/
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Three wins led Northwestern State's women to their best-ever showing at the Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships concluding Thursday, while Demons' junior
Amir James posted the fastest 200-meter time in meet history as he defended his title in that event.
Gold medal performances for the NSU women came from
Daeshon Gordon in the 60 meter hurdles (8.20),
De'Shalyn Jones in the 400 dash (54.43), and in the 4x400 relay (3:45.43) as
Tamara Style and
Natashia Jackson joined Gordon and Jones. Those wins helped the Lady Demons to 96 points, their highest total at the conference indoor championship in 30 years, as NSU matched the program's best finish, third in 1999, 2000 and 2001, in a 13-team field.
James sprinted home in 21.15, breaking the three-year-old meet record of 2014 NSU All-American Justin Walker while repeating as the Southland's 200 champ. Coupled with his runner-up finish in the 60 (6.71), and his leg on the Demons' third-place 4x400 relay team (3:16.45), James accounted for 19.5 of the 54 points scored by the NSU men, who took fifth among 12 teams.
The four firsts were among 10 medal-winning efforts by NSU competitors in the two-day meet at the Birmingham Crossplex.
Head coach
Mike Heimerman was very proud of the women's team finish, which more than doubled last year's 39-point total for seventh place.
"We have (high) expectations at NSU now, and I think we will be competing for team championships year in and year out," he said.
The podium appearances by Northwestern State competitors included a pair of second places by Lady Demons, along with James taking silver in the 60 in 6.71, nipped by 0.01 for the win. He rebounded to run away with the 200 crown in record time.
"What can you say about Amir? He almost falls twice in the 200, yet he still breaks the meet record," sprints coach
Adam Pennington said.
Junior
Braneshia Payton ran an indoor career-best 8.44 in the 60 hurdles to give NSU gold (by Gordon) and silver in that race.
"I knew Bre could do it, she just had to run a clean race," Pennington said. "It has been a blessing for her to train with Daeshon, because it has really pushed her. I was impressed to see those girls go one-two."
Three NSU entries, along with the men's 4x400, took home bronze medals. Two women in field events hit career marks to medal,
Destiney Myers in the shot put (47-8 ½) and
Fabriana Nation in the triple jump (39-11.50). Senior
Jermeka McBride also took third in the 200 in 24.09.
Sophomore
Micah Larkins contributed to the 36 points racked up by Demon runners with his fourth-place finish in the 60 (6.74), and running a leg on the bronze medal 4x400 team.
Senior
George Flaviano anchored the 4x400 and the reigning Southland Outdoor 400 meter hurdles champion captured fourth Thursday in the 200 dash.
"I was so proud of George," Pennington said. "We were sitting in the seventh or eighth fastest time, and he steps up with a career best (21.51) to grab five big points for us."
Sam Houston State swept the team championships, winning the men's division by 22.5 points and the women's title by 30. The Lady Demons were one point away from second-place Lamar (97), while the Demons were one point shy of fourth-place Incarnate Word.
Final Team Rankings:
MEN – 1, Sam Houston State 142.50; 2, McNeese 120; 3, Stephen F. Austin 117.50; 4, Incarnate Word 55;
5, Northwestern State 54; 6, Southeastern Louisiana 36; 7, Lamar 30; 8, Abilene Christian 29; 9, Central Arkansas 27; 10, Houston Baptist 21; 10, Texas A&M-CC 21; 12, New Orleans 10.
WOMEN – 1, Sam Houston State 127; 2, Lamar 97;
3, Northwestern State 96; 4, Stephen F. Austin 93.50; 5, Abilene Christian 55; 6, McNeese 44; 7, Southeastern Louisiana 35; 8, Incarnate Word 30; 9, Houston Baptist 22.50; 9, Texas A&M-CC 22.50; 11, New Orleans 19; 12, Central Arkansas 15.50; 13, Nicholls 5.
