LAFAYETTE—Three athletes won their event and many others posted personal bests during a solid first day at the Louisiana Classics on Friday evening on the campus of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

NSU had winning performances from Tarajh Hudson and Shakera Kirk in the men's and women's discus, as well as newcomer Anisha Gibbons in the women's javelin.

"It was an okay start," head coach Mike Heimerman said. "I'm being a little hard on this group today because they have looked so good in the last few weeks of practice. The distances were ok and there were a few PRs, which you're always happy with, but technically we didn't look as sharp or fluid as we have been.

"It was the first meet for most of these athletes competing today or first time with that event this year, so I have to remember that. The meet gave us a good look at where we are at and what we need to improve on. Three wins out of four events is always good. It should be a fun year with this group in those two events for sure."

In his first meet since the 2024 indoor season, Hudson picked up right where he left off with a throw of 173-4 on his first attempt of the season in the men's discus that held up as the winning throw.

The Demons had two in the top five in the event, as Hudson was joined by Seth Smith with a toss of 169-4 to finish in fourth.

On the women's side, the Lady Demons went 1-2, being led by Kirk, who threw a 158-06 to win out of the 36 competitors.

Eliska Zahradnickova finished second in the event, throwing a 154-11.

In her first event of her outdoor career with NSU, Shantangelo Williams narrowly missed out on advancing to finals with a 10th place finish, throwing a 142-9.

In her first meet with the Lady Demons, Gibbons made her presence felt with a toss of 155-8 to win the women's javelin out of 29 competitors.

She also led a 1-2 finish for the Lady Demons, as Teodora Samac placed right behind her in second with a personal best throw of 150-4.

Mikayla Mondello also placed in the top five with a personal best toss of 128-0 to finish fifth.

Cherie Neal (111-4) posted an NSU best, while Thea Ring (103-3) recorded a personal best.

On the men's side in the javelin, Garrett Graves threw a 181-7 to place seventh out of 22, the Demons only competitor in the event.

NSU is back up for the second and final day of the Louisiana Classics on Saturday, which begins at 10 a.m. with the men's hammer throw and women's shot put.