Feb. 20, 2008

McNeese State's Vaalyn Jackson, who only kicked off his indoor track season last week, was named the Southland Conference track athlete of the week.

The Cowboy junior, a 6-0, 285 pounder from Sulphur, not only won the weight throw at the University of Houston all-comers meet last Saturday but he also set a school record.

Jackson tossed the weight 55-0 1/4 to break the mark that had been set earlier in the year by teammate John Jamail.

Jackson also finished fourth in the shot put in that meet with a throw of 48-7 1/2.

He's the first Cowboy to earn a conference athlete of the week honor during the indoor season this year. Jackson and his teammates will be in Houston on Friday to take part in the annual SLC indoor championship meet.