SAN MARCOS, Texas – Northwestern State hurdler Janiel Moore may not say much, but her lead-by-example approach speaks volumes. 

Moore, who is a key cog at championship meets because of her versatility, competed while injured at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships in the quest to bring the first title to the NSU women's track and field program. 

The seven-time medalist stumbled over a hurdle in the 60 meter hurdles, which also knocked her out of the 400 hurdles. But she returned to run the 200 meter finals, scoring two points for a Lady Demons team that placed second overall. 

Now the senior is heading down the stretch of her final outdoor season, and the last attempt to add a team championship and more individual medals around her neck. The next step is the Charles Austin Classic at Texas State beginning Friday, one of only two remaining meets with the NSU Leon Johnson Invitational finishing the regular season April 23. 

"Knowing it's my last year as a student-athlete, it would mean a lot to be a conference champion," Moore said. "It would be a good thing to look back on and remember the good times. 

"I did everything I could (at SLC Indoors), but the small things matter and we didn't get what we wanted. I was still able to contribute to a third-place finish, but we're this close to being over the top." 

NSU associate head coach Adam Pennington said nobody wants a team trophy more than Moore. 

"Janiel is a diamond, and she can do anything you ask her to do," Pennington said. "She's definitely a team player even though she's not a big talker – she's always led by example. 

"She's going to give it 100 percent every time she's out there, and she lets you know she's there by her actions." 

Her actions have been really strong, claiming four gold medals (three 4x400 relays and one 60 hurdles). 

Moore is a champion threat in the 100 and 400 hurdles along with the SLC-favorite 4x400 relay, which clocked a conference-best 3:46.39 at Stephen F. Austin this past week. 

The 6-footer owns the league's best 400 meter hurdles time at 1:00.94 two weeks ago at Baylor, a mark that will likely need to be in the 58-second range to punch a ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. 

"Technically and physically, I feel like she has the capability," Pennington said. "Mentally, like a lot of people who know what they're facing, that'll be the key. 

"But she can be a top 12 hurdler at (the NCAA East Prelims) and make it to nationals. Her height and length is an advantage in the longer races like the 400 because of her long strides. But I convinced her that she can be a great sprinter/sprint hurdler as well, and she can run tempo and do it all. She could be our most valuable female because she can score in so many ways." 

Moore's track background started in races like the 800 and events like the high jump, but she's zeroed in on the hurdles and relays. 

But hurdling was a natural fit for her slender, lanky figure. 

"My height helps me in terms of just going easy over the hurdles," Moore said. "I don't have to go straight at the hurdles like shorter girls – I have the length to get over it. 

"It gives me an extra boost." 

Just like the influx of student-athletes from Caribbean island nations. 

The Jamaican was never the only Lady Demon from the area, but Moore is one of nine women and men hailing from places like the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and Grenada. 

"Yes it does make it feel more like home," Moore said. "You get a lot of support from people of a similar culture, people that speak almost the same way. 

"You can feel their genuine support, and it means a lot. It feels like being home when you hear the crowd cheering you on."