WACO, Texas—Northwestern State's sprinters posted another strong performance, highlighting an impressive opening day of the Michael Johnson Invitational on Friday at the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium on the campus of Baylor University.

The 200-meters proved to be a major strength once again for the Demons and Lady Demons.

Four Demons posted strong times, led by Dylan Swain, who ran a season-best 20.73, finishing seventh in a loaded field. Overall, three Demons finished in the top 25.

After finishing third in the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational in the 200 with a 21.05, he improved his time to a 21.00, which was a season best to place 18^th. Destine-Unique Scott finished just behind him in 23^rd-place with a time of a season-best 21.08.

Cyrus Jacobs also posted a season best with a 21.33 and Galen Loyd ran a personal best 21.51.

After a record-breaking showing at NSU's home meet this past weekend, Sanaria Butler ran another outstanding race, recording a 23.67, finishing ninth.

Maygan Shaw finished right behind her teammate with a 23.72, placing 12^th. Vanessa Balde finished 21^st with a 24.06.

"It was a great day for the Lady Demons and Demons overall," head coach Mike Heimerman said. "Led by Sanaria and Dylan, the men's and women's 200s set the track on fire with another great showing against top competition."

A total of nine athletes recorded personal or season bests, including Andrew Gilreath's performance in the long jump.

Gilreath, a junior from Missouri City, Texas, posted a personal best 24-5.5, which is the best on NSU this season and is second in the Southland Conference, finishing third in the highly-competitive field.

In the 400-meter hurdles, Sian Weller posted a season-best time of 1:00.68, placing sixth.

"Sian had a personal best in the 400 hurdles and I thought she just had an okay race," Heimerman said. "She has so much more and I am excited to watch her grow from here."

Korbin Shumate ran a personal-best 4:01.39 in the men's 1500-meters, finishing 28^th. Payten Vidourek placed right above Shumate with a 4:01.07.

Kaitlyn Washington recorded a season-best 147-01 in the women's discus to place 13^th. Bernesha Knowles tossed a 123-03.

"Kaitlyn had an impressive showing in the disc," Heimerman said. "Her throw technically was ok but it still was a best for her. It just shows what she is capable of."

In the men's discus, Djimon Gumbs did what he does, have another great throw in the event. Gumbs tossed a 189-03 to finish third, while Tarajh Hudson threw a 173-06 to finish ninth.

Arizona State's Turner Washington won the event with an incredible 211-11, which is a season-best and the fourth-best throw in the country this season. It is also a Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium record.

In the women's hammer throw, Bernesha Knowles posted a 165-08, finishing 13^th.

Fresh off a personal best in the women's pole vault, Madison Brown posted another strong showing. Brown cleared 12-2.5, finishing 14^th, while Karlyn Trahan cleared 11-8.5 to finish 17^th.

"We had a number of performances from athletes who posted personal bests, but I thought they were just Ok," Heimerman said. "It shows that everything is moving in the right direction and that's a good thing. I am looking forward to another day tomorrow."

The teams return to action Saturday to conclude the Michael Johnson Invitational. It begins with the women's javelin at 11 a.m.