Four wins include three PRs, two Southland bests for NSU at McNeese meet

LAKE CHARLES – Northwestern State got winning performances by Keona Jackson in the women's shot put with a Southland Conference-best throw,  Consuela Lindsay in the women's 400 meter hurdles, Por'sha Thomas in the women's triple jump and Shakemia Johnson in the women's discus Saturday at the McNeese SpringTime Classic track and field meet.
 
Those were among 12 top five finishes in the competition for Northwestern, which rested some of its better athletes including All-America sprinter Justin Walker and triple jumperAaron Williams.
 
Jackson won by three feet, posting a 49-5 ½ throw that was over three feet better than her previous career best and took over the top spot in the Southland Conference rankings. She was also fourth in the hammer with a 168-6 mark.
 
Lindsay ran a 1:01.31 for her second straight victory but didn't improve her season's best that leads the Southland.
 
Johnson won with a personal best 160-5 throw that ranks second in the Southland to teammate Rechelle Bessard, who didn't compete Saturday.
 
Thomas recorded a season and personal best 40-0 ¾, best in the Southland, topping her previous best of 40-0.
 
Quinton Helaire cleared 6-6 for second in the men's high jump. The Demons took second in the 4x100 meter relay with Brent Giddens, Gabe White, Christian Willis and Ty Shillingposting a 42.17 time.
 
Zhaquan Porter took third in the men's triple jump (45-5) with the Demons' Albert Gladney taking bronze in the 1500 (4:07.28). Kenyah McDaniel was third in the women's long jump (18-11 ¼) and Mawi Berkhadley tied for third in the women's high jump at 5-1 ¾.
 
Kwanzaa Andrus gave the Lady Demons fourth in the shot put (44-3 ¼).
 
NSU will compete next weekend at Southeastern Louisiana and LSU before the only home meet of the season, The Leon Johnson NSU Invitational on April 26.