LUBBOCK, Texas—After gaining more confidence since her injury last year, Annemarie Broussard announced to the Southland Conference that she is officially back.

Broussard, a senior from Abbeville, cleared 12-10.75 in the pole vault, which not only is a season best for her, but also took over the SLC lead in the event.

The most decorated women's pole vaulter in Northwestern State history, Broussard missed the entire outdoor season in 2023 due to injury. Every meet, she has been gaining more confidence and showed she is ready for the conference championships.

"Annie is being Annie," associate head coach Adam Pennington said. "We have spent five years together and she's never changed her mindset since I've met her. She is ready for war at all times and will continue to improve. She's starting to get her rhythm back and having fun. Our lady vaulters continue to sharpen each other. And that's why they are ranked at the top."

Djimon Gumbs is feeling more himself as well. After being sick for a few weeks, Gumbs finished second in the shot put with a toss of 60-7.75. Twin brother Diamante Gumbs placed eighth with a distance of 53-8.5. Tarajh Hudson posted an indoor personal best with a 50-6.75.

"It was another solid day," head coach Mike Heimerman said. "The sprinters did very well again. They continue to just put out amazing numbers.

"The throwers had a pretty good day. Everyone is starting to hit their form, just needing some tweaking. The group was led by Djimon. He is getting close to being back. Overall, I am very happy with the throwers. The numbers don't always show the progression, but they did some good work."

On the women's side in the shot put, Ianna Roach placed 12^th with a distance of 46-4.25. Shakera Williams recorded a season-best 45-4.50 to finish 15^th and Carnitra Mackey (44-7.50) came in 18^th.

In the men's high jump, Randy Kelly cleared 6-6.75 to finish eighth out of 20 competitors.

Continuing a sensational indoor season, Mikkel Johansson set a personal best with a time of 21.22 in the 200-meter dash section B, placing second out of 70 finishers. Cyrus Jacobs placed 10^th with a 21.53, also a personal best.

Running unattached, Zachaeus Beard ran a 21.80 to finish 25^th.

In section A of the 200-meters, Keontae Gaines posted a personal-best 21.12 to finish seventh out of 17 finishers. Jaysaun Smith ran a 21.55, which is a season best.

On the women's side, four competed in the 200-meter section A, three of which set personal bests.

Sanaria Butler wrapped up a sensational weekend with a personal-best 24.05 to place 13^th. Lynell Washington placed right behind Butler with a 24.05 as well, finishing in 14^th. Vanessa Balde (24.06) and Maygan Shaw (24.08) also each posted personal bests, finishing 15^th and 17^th, respectively.

In section B, three of the four Lady Demons to run set personal bests and the other set a season best.

Victoria Byrd led the way with a personal-best 24.93 to place 35^th out of 95 runners. Kahliyah Anderson ran a season-bet 25.03 to place 43^rd. Tranasia Jones (25.25) and Raven-Symone Jarrett (26.88) also registered season bests.

"The sprinters had an amazing weekend," Pennington said. "Nine total personal bests in the 200 and 10 season bests. I believe we were expecting a little faster, but it's been a very long two weeks of travel for these athletes and they are still performing at a high level.

"Mikkel's times continue to just drop and Cyrus and Jay have entered the top eight overall in the 200."

The men's 4x400 relay team of Johansson, Smith, Jacobs and Robert Norton posted a season-best 3:13.42 to finish ninth out of 23 teams.

In the men's mile, Korbin Shumate (4:27.14) and John Klein (4:27.34) each ran a personal best, placing 25^th and 26^th out of 45 runners.

Before helping the men's 4x400 relay team set a season best, Norton ran a personal-best 1:14.90 in the 600-yard run.

The track teams have an off week before heading to the SLC Indoor Championships, which begin Feb. 25 in Birmingham, Alabama.