Jan. 31, 2008

Carlese Franklin marks his return to the McNeese State track and field team on Friday when he and other Cowboys and Cowgirls compete in LSU's indoor meet.

Distance runners Tinette Burger and Sarah-Jayne Boyce along with high jumper Lindsay Brooks will debut for the Cowgirls while sprinters Dwight Charles and Aaron Debourg along with jumper sprinter Jonathan Walker will also mark their first meet for the Cowboys.

It's been two years since Franklin, now a senior, has performed in track.

Football has taken up most of his time as he's been one of the football team's top receivers for the past four seasons, completing his career as the school's sixth ranking all-time receiver with 110 catches or 1,751 yards as well as ranking third in career kickoff returns with 58 for 1,218 yards. Franklin also produced 3,558 all-purpose yards, a mark that is in the top 12 all-time.

With his college football career behind him, the Kentwood, LA native turns back to track during this spring semester to not only keep himself physically fit for what he hopes will be an opportunity to continue football on a higher level but to also do what he can for the track team.

He'll only run the 60 meter dash on Friday but next week's he's expected to add the long jump.

His real worth to the team, however, will come during the outdoor season when he throws the javelin.

"This will be his first attempt at the 60 meter dash," track coach Brendon Gilroy said. "And, we're anxious to see how he does. We couldn't get him entered in the long jump this week but he should be in it next week at Houston."

Gilroy, though, is expecially excited to have him on the team for the outdoor season when Franklin is expected to be one of the league's top javelin throwers.

"We'll see if he can recapture what he had in the javelin several years ago," the coach said.

Both of the team's top javelin throwers from last year - school record holder Chris Hill and John Walledom - are no longer on the squad.

Two years ago Franklin, who performed on two state champion teams during his prep career, had a best of 202-4 which qualified him for the NCAA regionals.

Burger is coming back from an injury she suffered during the cross country season. She posted two first places and a second in the three meets she ran in prior to her injury.

Tinette Burger will debut in the distance medley relay.

Burger will run a leg on the 4000 meter distance medley relay as will Boyce, a native of Ireland.

Brooks holds the women's school record for the outdoor high jump.

Charles and DeBourg, both from Trinidad, will run legs on the men's 4x100 meter relay team and Walker, also a football player, will take part in the 60 meters and the triple jump.

Team leaders who will take part in the meet are pole vaulter Jimmie Heath, shot putter John Jamail and the Brown brothers, Darrick and Marcus.

Heath is undefeated in the pole vault this season and leads all Southland Conference vaulters with a 16-6 3/4 while Jamail is tops in the shot put with a throw of 55-6.

Both Browns are among the league leaders in the long jump and Darrick also ranks in the top three in the high jump.

Cowboy assistant coach Erik Whitsitt will also compete, attempting to reach 60 feet in the shot put. He's won two meets this season competing unattached.

MCNEESE ENTRIES FOR LSU MEET

Cowboys

Donovan Anderson - 400 meters, shot put

Ryan Barrow - one mile

Sean Brinson - 4x400 relay

Darrick Brown - 60 meters, high jump, long jump

Marcus Brown - 60 meters, long jump, triple jump

Dwight Charles - 4x400 relay

Aaron Debourg - 4x400 relay

Jacob Domingue - shot put

Matt Fontenot - 800 meters, one mile

Carlese Franklin - 60 meters

Freddie Hannie - weight throw

Jimmie Heath - pole vault

John Jamail - shot put, weight throw

Johnathon Koenck - 800 meters

James Overbo - pole vault

Alasdair Russell - one mile

Jonathan Walker - 60 meters, triple jump

Michael Washington - 400 meters, 4x400 relay

Cowgirls

Amy Aguillard - pole vault

Sarah-Jayne Boyce - distance medley

Lindsay Brooks - high jump

Julie Buller - pole vault

Tinette Burger - distance medley

LaDonna Carroll - 60 meters, 200 meters

Jessica Gonzales-Pons - 60 hurdles

Amy Guinn - distance medley

Erin Huckabay - high jump

Deanna Jones - 60 meters, 200 meters

Emily Lewis - pole vault

Christi McRae - 60 meters, 200 meters, distance medley

Carly Thurman - 800 meters, one mile

DeAnn Washington - shot put