THIBODAUX - After a successful start to the outdoor season, the Nicholls State University women's track and field team will look to maintain momentum and continue to climb the ranks of the Southland Conference when the Colonels return to action at the LSU Relays this Friday and Saturday.

The Colonels are fresh off setting a pair of school records in the first meet of the season at the Louisiana Classics last Saturday.  Senior high jumper Chelsea Dockrey and freshman shot putter Kerri Simmons both recorded school records in their events with Dockrey taking the lead in the Southland Conference standings and tying for fourth in the region after her first meet.  Also turning in strong showings were senior distance runner Jessica McLeod, who recorded the second best time in school history in the 1500 m, and sophomore javelin thrower Aja Scott, who recorded the second best mark in school history in the javelin throw.

With the first meet of the season under their belt, the Colonels now turn their attention to climbing the ranks of the Southland Conference and qualifying more athletes for the postseason conference tournament meet.

"Last week was a very successful meet for us," head coach Scott Williamson said.  "This week we want to really try to improve our marks and get more of our girls qualified for the conference meet.  We're really looking forward to this meet.  It's in our own backyard, we're very comfortable there and a lot of our girls are expecting their friends and families to be there, so we're really looking forward to this meet."

The meet gets underway at 10:30 a.m. Friday, with the Colonel javelin throwers opening competition first, and lasts through Saturday.  Nicholls will then turn its attentions to the April 1 and 2 Pepsi Relays at the University of Florida.