SPOKANE, Washington – As the Northwestern State track and field teams gear up for the Southland Conference Indoor Championships, two former NSU competitors will chase titles of their own this weekend.
 
Former Southland Conference Women's Athlete of the Year Natashia Jackson and former SLC outdoor 110-meter hurdles champion Tremayne Flagler will compete in this weekend's USA Track and Field Indoor National Championships at The Podium in Spokane, Washington.
 
The pair becomes the first NSU competitors at the national meet since 2017 when DeShalyn Jones, Micah Larkins and Amir James all represented Northwestern State.
 
"This is the first national championship for both of them," associate head coach Adam Pennington said. "It's a big step for them as far as their goals and making it to the next level. The competition, obviously, will be tough when you're facing the best athletes in the country who are trying make a world team."
 
Jackson, a 19-time gold medalist in Southland Conference competitions, is set to run in the first round of the women's 400 meters at 4:44 p.m. CST on Saturday. The finals of the event are set for 4:56 p.m. Sunday.
 
Flagler will compete in the 60-meter hurdles opening round at 1:23 p.m. Sunday with the finals set for 5:33 that afternoon.
 
Jackson completed her NSU career in 2021 and has continued to train in Natchitoches. She competed at the Texas Tech Shootout in the 200 meters unattached Feb. 12, finishing fourth with a time of 23.81.
 
"She's right where she needs to be," Pennington said. "She's had to take a little different approach with the pro season going longer than the college season. Where she is this weekend will determine her outdoor season."
 
Flagler capped his NSU career by capturing the 110-meter hurdle title at the 2019 Southland Conference Outdoor Championships in Natchitoches. He will face a loaded field as he looks to take the next step in his career.
 
"Grant Holloway is going to compete in the hurdles, and it's always exciting when you face an Olympic medalist," Pennington said. "It's great for Speedy and Tremayne to get out there and compete at that brand-new facility. It's exciting for them."