LAKE CHARLES – McNeese State opened the 2014 track and field indoor season on Friday here at its host meet and came away with multiple first place finishes, including conference champion La'Shantena Rounds who threatened the Ralph O. Ward Recreation Complex record in the weight throw.
Rounds eased he way to the title in the weight throw with a mark of 63-8.25 to win the event by nearly seven feet. Her throw was just three feet short of the complex record while it measures in the top 20 in the nation this early season. Rounds also took second in the shot put with a throw of 42-9.
"It was a good start," said head coach Brendon Gilroy. "We got some nice marks and times for the first time out this season."
Coutnei Carter was the top attached athlete to place in the triple jump with a mark of 38-3.25, tops in the Southland Conference this season.
The Cowgirls finished 1-2 in the 800 meter run with Amy Talbot taking first with a time of 2:21.32, seventh-best in the SLC, followed by Laura Casey at 2:30.10.
McNeese's distance medley relay team comprised of Talbot, Casey, Alison Smegal and Meagan Moore won the event with a time of 13:02.19.
Reigning conference champion in the long jump Jasmine Cornelius, finished second in that event with a mark of 18-9.75
On the men's side, freshman pole vaulter Dakota Breaux took home is first gold in his collegiate debut with a clearing of 14-7.25. McNeese also got firsts in the field events from Jared Mack in the high jump (6-0), and Kartavius Hamilton in the long jump (23-9).
Hamilton's jump is the longest in the league so far this season.
The Cowboys dominated the mid to long distance events. McNeese placed 1-5 in the 3000-meter run with Ryan Holroyd taking first with a time of 8:50.30. Fisher Hamilton was second at 9:10.94. He was followed by Enrique Soto at 9:15.59, Nicholas Kiprono at 9:17.37, and Alex Kiptoo at 9:22.31.
Oliver James took first in the 1-mile run with a time of 4:25.31. Teammate Alex Evans was second with a 4:27.25 and Brock Moreaux third with a time of 4:28.28.