HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana's track and field teams will be divided this weekend. Decathletes and jumpers are at the Louisiana Classics in Lafayette, while the remaining student-athletes made the trek to Ruston for the Jim Mize Invitational.
The meet hosted by Louisiana-Lafayette provides one of few opportunties for decathletes to compete during the outdoor season, so it will be critical as the Lions look to qualify for the Southland Conference championships. Southeastern points record holder Cory Roberts will participate, alongside teammates Stephen Atkinson and Corey Santagelo.
Lacey Sanchez, who set a personal best with a vault of 12 feet (3.66 meters) at last week's McNeese Cowboy Relays, leads the Southeastern women's contingent in Lafayette. Plus, Michelle Ogashi hopes to claim another triple jump title, having won in Lake Charles with a mark of 38 feet, 1.5 inches (11.62 meters).
In Ruston, Adonson Shallow will make his outdoor debut for the Lions in several throwing events. He missed the outdoor season opener last week because his indoor season was not yet complete. At the NCAA indoor championships, Shallow claimed 10th place in weight throw with a toss of 67 feet, 3.5 inches (20.51 meters).
Judith Schultheis and Yvette Schubert will make their first appearances of the outdoor campaign for the Lady Lions at Louisiana Tech's meet. Schultheis competed unattached last season. Schubert dealt with health issues for much of 2009, but hopes to return to the form that saw her win the Southland Conference javelin title in 2008.
“We're looking at what Judith can do in the longer hurdle races, since she hasn't competed outdoors in some time,” head coach Sean Brady said. “Yvette threw last year, but was injured for the latter portion of the schedule. She's healthy now and should add to our women's group.”
The Lions are set to face teams including LSU, McNeese State, Northwestern State, Nicholls, South Alabama, Tulane and host ULL at the Louisiana Classics. The field will be smaller in Ruston, as Southeastern expects to see only Louisiana Tech and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
