HOUSTON – Medal stand finishes by All-American senior Justin Walker in the 200 meter dash, senior Quiana Griffin in the women's 400 and junior Emmanuel Williams in the long jump topped Northwestern State's results Saturday in the second and final day of the University of Houston's Howie Ryan Invitational indoor track and field competition.
Williams nearly won the long jump with a 23-11 ¾ best mark topped only by the 24-1 ½ from the Cougars' John Horton. Williams also claimed fifth in the triple jump and was the second-best collegiate jumper, going 48-10 ¼. Teammate Zhaquan Porter finished 10th at 46-7 ¼.
Walker ran third in the 200 at 21.88, behind unattached winner Errol Nolan (21.56) and Grambling's Kameron Cowan (21.60). Walker was ninth in the 60 in 6.78.
Griffin took third in her specialty, clocking 57.34 as the second-fastest collegiate finisher. Carline Muir of Pure Athletics won in 56.49.
Griffin also ran the lead leg on the Lady Demons' ninth-place 4x400 relay team, with Keshira McKnight, Nijah Lain and Consuela Lindsay following to post a 3:58.60 time.
Keenan Jackson gave NSU fourth in the men's 400 (49.39). He was the third collegiate finisher as Clinton Collins from North Texas took the win (48.23).
Demons high jumper Quinton Helaire was the fourth-best college competitor and finished seventh overall in his specialty with a 6-4 ¾ clearance.
Also giving NSU a seventh place was Por'sha Thomas, going 38-2 in the triple jump.
Lady Demon long jumper Jayneisha Berry covered 18-1 to finish ninth. Kawanza Andrus gave the Lady Demons a 10th place 42-2 mark in the shot put.
NSU will compete next on Feb. 14 at the Cupid Classic hosted at the Birmingham, Ala., Crossplex by Southern Mississippi. That venue is the site of the Feb. 26-27 Southland Conference Indoor Championships which will wrap up the indoor team season for NSU.