Eight NCAA Regional qualifying performances highlight NSU Relays

NATCHITOCHES – Eight NCAA Regional qualifying marks highlighted the return of collegiate outdoor track and field competition at Northwestern State in five years.

NSU took home first places in 12 events to lead any team, including a clean sweep in all the relays. Stephen F. Austin followed with nine first place finishes.

“I think that’s the first time I can ever remember where both our men and women swept all the relays,” said NSU head coach Leon Johnson.

The Demon 4x100 relay team comprising of Michael Batts, Nathan Brown, Jordan Patton and anchored by All-American Ravyn Hayward, set the bar with a blistering time of 40.38 to ease past the regional qualifying mark of 40.66.

Northwestern saw regional qualifiers in two other events. Samuel Norton qualified in the javelin throw with a toss of 205-4, surpassing the qualifying mark of 202-1. NSU also got an individual qualifier from Chad Leath in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 52.45.

McNeese State and SFA each had two qualifiers. For the Cowboys, Chris Hill met the mark in the javelin with a throw of 221-11 while Marcus Brown qualified in the long jump at 24-9.

SFA’s Ryder Peacock qualified in the high jump with a leap of 6-10 3/4 and Meghan Denman in the women’s high jump at 5-8 3/4.

Louisiana-Monroe’s Heather Davis also qualified to the regionals in the women’s high jump at 5-8 3/4.

“I thought everything went exceptionally well,” said Johnson. “Everyone was just amazed at how fast the track was, and just very complimentary on the whole facility.

Stephen F. Austin's Laura Mikeska tied a Walter P. Ledet Complex record in the women’s pole vault with a clearing of 11-5.75.

Northwestern will host one other event this spring, that being the NSU Invitational on Apr. 14.