NATCHITOCHES -- Northwestern State jumper Jasmyn Steels stared toward the jump pit during one of her final practices before heading to Thursday's NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin, Texas.
 
As she prepared to take off, a young summer track club member darted across the long jump runway.
 
Steels didn't flinch and her demeanor didn't change as she patiently waited for the young sprinter to veer back toward her club group.
 
The junior is in a similar mindset as she attempts to capture the NCAA Outdoors long jump title after surprising the field at the NCAA Indoors and winning the program's fourth individual national title.
 
"I don't think (previous meets) really help in any way because every meet is different, and it all depends on who is competing well at the time," Steels said. "Every meet matters, but regionals and nationals are the main ones that really count.
 
"I have the same mindset now as I did (for the NCAA Indoors Championships). I still have to prove my point that I'm up top. I still have to prove to them what I can do. I know these girls can jump, even if I did win (Indoors), I know these girls are right behind me."
 
Steels won the Indoors national championship with a mark of 21-2 ½, nearly six inches better than her career best at the time.
 
But as the competition heated up with the weather in the outdoors season, Steels too has risen to the challenge.
 
She's posted jumps of more than 21 feet in three different outdoor meets, including a wind-aided 21-4 ¾ at the Texas Relays, which is where the NCAA Outdoors Championships will be held at the University of Texas.
 
Her wind-legal distance of 21-3 ½ in April at the NSU Leon Johnson Invitational is a program and meet record.
 
With jumpers just focusing on getting qualifying national marks at the NCAA East Preliminary Round two weeks ago, Steels' three-jump average of 20-0 ¼ topped the 48 participants in the East. Her best jump of 20-5 placed second in that regional round.
 
"Jasmyn is jumping really well right now, but we still haven't put together a solid meet," said NSU jumps coach Tyron Stewart, who has a quiet, laid-back style as he and Steels evaluate video of her practice. "We haven't had really hot, nice weather yet, so hopefully we can get that in Austin and pop one (a jump) off at Outdoors.
 
"We have to have her be aggressive through the board. She has a habit of slowing down to the board and backing off, so we're working on finishing through the run and keep that speed going."
 
One area Stewart doesn't have concerns is Steels' mental preparation.
 
"Everybody is physically prepared to go, but some people get in their (own) heads, get on Instagram or Twitter and checking out their rankings or predictions," Stewart said. "For her, it's about staying calm and mentally prepared and doing what she's done all year.
 
"She can pull from past experiences, but at the same time, it's a different season. There are new athletes, environments and situations. Outdoors is a little more challenging, so we'll see how it goes."
 
With jumpers allowed just three jumps in the NCAA East Preliminary Round, Steels took pressure off herself by making the top five on her second attempt before ripping off a second-place jump on her final leap.
 
On Thursday, Steels will have three jumps to make the top 12 in the 24-participant field.
 
And the College Station, Texas, native will be performing in front of family and friends just two hours from her hometown.
 
"It should be exciting and fun, and I have lots of family and friends coming, but I'm not worried about it too much," Steels said. "It does help that I'm familiar with the venue (Mike A. Myers Stadium) and am comfortable jumping there.
 
"I'll continue to work on my runs, my jumps are fine. I'll be trying to get those last two steps down, and I'm excited to put everything together and get it done."