HAMMOND – While Adonson Shallow competes for an indoor national championship, his Southeastern Louisiana teammates begin the outdoor season Saturday at the Cowboy Relays in Lake Charles. In addition to host McNeese State, the Lions and Lady Lions will go against Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Northwestern State and Wiley College.
Teams will be scored for men's and women's championships, plus the school with the best combined score will earn the Bob Hayes Louisiana Challenge trophy, named for the longtime McNeese track and field coach and athletic director.
The last time Southeastern competed in an outdoor meet was May 2009, when the Lion men won the Southland Conference championship.
“This is when our real season starts,” head coach Sean Brady said. “However, it is an early meet, so we'll take this and use it as an opportunity to gauge where we are right now. But this is what we know and what we have been working towards.”
The meet will mark the beginning of the final season for senior Cory Roberts. He was the 2009 Southland Conference outdoor decathlon champion, setting a school record in the process with 7,451 points. Roberts ended the year with a 19th place finish at the NCAA National Championships. He will see action Saturday, but not in his full compliment of events.
In distance competition, a highly competitive field will run the men's mile. Kalphys Kemboi looks to build off a stellar cross country campaign in 2009, where he earned All-Southland and All-Louisiana honors. He'll be supported by senior Kyle Golden.
On the women's side, Judith Schultheis returned to Southeastern after competing unattached in 2009, and immediately stepped back in the role of top hurdler for the Lady Lions. Her primary focus will be the 60 meter hurdles, but she'll also join the 4x400 meter relay team.
Michelle Ogashi is Southeastern's top returning female in the long and triple jump. She was consistent as a freshman and should be in a position to be on the podium at the conference championships as a sophomore.
Lacey Sanchez hopes to add her name to the outdoor record books in pole vault following a stellar indoor campaign. She set a school record at the conference championship meet and placed third.
The meet begins at 9 a.m.
