LAKE CHARLES, La. -  The Nicholls State University women's track and field team walked away with five titles, one school record, a 1-2-3 sweep of the indoor mile and a big boost in confidence as the Jeff Davis Bank Indoor Invitational hosted by McNeese State came to a close on Saturday.

Lining up against several conference rivals, the Colonels came away with wins in the 55 m, high jump, 800 m and 3K, as well as taking each of the top three spots in the indoor mile with just one meet remaining before the 2011 Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships.

"We came in expecting this to be just a training meet for us," head coach Scott Williamson said.  "But our girls came out against a lot of Southland Conference schools and proved that even though we don't have a very big squad, the girls we do have are capable of winning their events at conference.  This was a very good meet for us."

Junior sprinter Samantha Calhoun got things started with a win in the 55 m.  The Morgan City, La. native clocked in with the fastest times in both the prelims (7.12)  and finals (7.16) en route to the win.  Senior jumper Chelsea Dockrey then took first in the high jump, clearing 1.65 m (5 ft. 5 in.), a mark that would put her in the top three in the conference heading into this week.  Then the Colonel distance runners took over.

Nicholls was led by senior distance runner Kadi Whisnant, the Baton Rouge native clocked a time of 5:03.06 in the indoor mile, setting a new school record in the event for the second time this season and marking the fourth school record (including relays) she has helped to set this season.  Whisnant was the first of three Colonels across the line giving Nicholls a sweep in the mile.  Senior distance runners Lauren Jones (5:07.82) and Jessica McLeod (5:12.56) followed Whisnant in the mile and also turned in wins for the Colonels in the 3,000 m (10:20.75) and 800 m (2:23.38), respectively.

The Colonels will take a week off from competition before heading to Baton Rouge for the LSU Twilight on Feb. 18 for the final regular season tune up prior to the 2011 Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Feb. 25-26.