NATCHITOCHES – Senior hurdler Tremayne Flagler is hoping to capture his first Southland Conference title May 5 at the Walter P. Ledet Track Complex after a long career journey from Atlanta, Iowa Western Community College, and finally to the Northwestern State Demons track and field team.
 
In his NSU career, Flagler has won a total of seven hurdles races with a career-best of 13.98 in the 110 meter hurdles coming April 20 at the LSU Alumni Gold. Despite the success, a Southland championship has eluded him. He finished second indoors in consecutive years in the 60 hurdles and seventh in last year's outdoor conference meet in the 110 hurdles.
 
Flagler transferred to NSU in 2018 after a successful stint at Iowa Western CC where he competed in the 100 meter dash, 110 and 400 hurdles, 4x100 and 4x400 relay. He finished third in the 2017 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Championships (14.01) in the 110 hurdles.
 
He credits associate head coach and sprints coach Adam Pennington for getting him to NSU.
 
"There were a bunch of schools trying to recruit me out of community college," said Flagler. "He stuck out the most and just kept in touch, and actually made sure I was still on top of everything, even though I had not committed yet."
 
The Georgia native had a breakout senior season for Westlake High School, breaking the school record in the hurdles in his first meet of the season. Coming out ranked first in the state for the 300 hurdles and second for the 110 hurdles. He was nationally ranked in both  races, second in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 110 hurdles.
 
Flagler comes from a very athletic pedigree as there are several star athletes in his family tree. His sister Joanna Atkins won the 2009 NCAA outdoor title in the 400 dash (50.39) with Auburn and still competes professionally. His brother Arden Key is a former LSU football player who is a defensive end for the NFL's Oakland Raiders.
 
Entering the 2019 Southland Outdoor Championships, Flagler is ranked 35^th in the nation, 19^th in the East Region and most importantly, second in the Southland in the 110 hurdles behind Fabian McCall (13.94) of Sam Houston State.
 
"I've been focusing more on my technique this season," said Flagler.  "I've been making sure to focus on me rather than chasing a time. I feel like I can win this time."
 
Flagler is never hard to spot at a meet as he wears a bright-green Jamaican flag embroidered headband in honor of former NSU star Daeshon Gordon who tragically passed away in October 2018, and who also specialized in the hurdles. 
 
Though his college career is nearing an end, Flagler said he hopes to keep competing for a while longer.
 
"If I hit the time I need to hit this season, I'll be training for the world meet," said Flagler. "I hope to run professionally like my older sister and someday start a business back home after that."
 
NSU hosts the 2019 Southland Conference Outdoor Championships next weekend, May 3-5, at the Walter P. Ledet Track Complex.