FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – Competing against the best brings out the best in every competitor.
 
That certainly rang true for Northwestern State on the first day of the Tyson Invitational on Friday afternoon. Nine different season or career bests were set for NSU with several more within inches or split seconds of being reached.
 
"We had a good day and did really well," head coach Mike Heimerman said. "Going up against some of the best athletes and teams in the country you get to see where you stand first hand.
 
"I think we got a lot of the things we wanted to out of the first day. We had people running rounds and in multiple events which is something they're going to have to do in conference. There's still some things we need to fix as coaches but we'll put pen to paper and get that sorted out."
 
It certainly was a great day on the track for the Lady Demons.
 
Natashia Jackson ran in the final event of the day, the 400 meters, saving the best performance for the Lady Demons for last. The senior set a new Southland Conference indoor record with a time of 53.65. It was the second meet in a row Jackson set a new PR in the event.
 
"She ran her race almost perfect," Heimerman said. "She ran almost a full second better PR and what's crazy is she has room for improvement. She wants to be great and in my 22 years of coaching there has only been one or two that wanted it as much as her. She is a phenomenal athlete and person."
 
In the shorter 60-meter distance, the Lady Demons had three runners qualify for the semi-finals in a loaded field. Deja Moore, Lynelle Washington and Jackson each moved on to the second round of races with Moore turning in a new season best 7.68 in her qualifying heat.
 
Kimani Evans (7.85) and Jayla Fields (7.77) also had new season best times in the distance but did not make the semis.
 
The 60-meter hurdles also produced an unexpected but pleasant result. Janeil Moore clocked a time of 8.77 in her first-ever attempt in the event.
 
"We just kind of threw Janeil in there to see what she could do," Heimerman said. "She'd never run the indoor hurdles before and goes out and has the third fastest time in the conference this year."
 
Moore followed that by setting her new NSU best in the 400 with a time of 57.38. Jasmine Dansby also set a new season best in the 800 with a time of 2:22.97.
 
It was the second jump of the day that turned out to be her best Jasmyn Steels. The senior landed at 21-1.5 putting her in the second position entering the second round of attempts. She remained there until Georgia's Jasmine Moore landed 1.25 inches further than Steels in her final jump of the day.
 
"Jasmyn is continuing to head in the right direction," Heimerman said. "We want her peaking towards conference and nationals and she is definitely headed that way. She wants to win every meet but all her legal jumps were over 20 feet so she's in a really good place right now."
 
The track was also kind to the Demon men who saw a pair of freshmen set new bests in the 400.
 
Kennedy Harrison (48.54) and Dejon Blake (48.97) finished first and second in their heat setting their new marks.
 
"Their training has been going well," Heimerman said. "The trusted that training today and ran their best times and learned they can run faster."
 
Markeit Steverson earned a spot in the finals of the long jump after his third attempt went for 23-10.75. He finished seventh overall in the even that also saw Quindarrius Thompson set a new best jump of 22-6.5.
 
The final day of the meet begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday with running events scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.