March 14, 2008

McNeese State's track and field team will get its outdoor season underway on Saturday, taking part in the Northwestern State Relays in Natchitoches.

The Cowboys and Cowgirls had been scheduled to open last week in Huntsville, TX but inclement weather forced the cancellation of the Sam Houston State meet.

Saturday's meet will feature relay races and that's most of what McNeese's runners will be competing in. There will be some longer distance races but not a lot of short sprints.

Field events could be a strong point for both the Cowboys and the Cowgirls.

Jimmie Heath will compete outdoors in the pole vault for the first time in two seasons (he missed outdoors last year because of an injury), while John Jamail will be a top competitor in the shot put as well as Ben Chretien and David Richardson in the javelin and school record holder Freddie Hannie in the hammer.

Heath has gone 18 feet in the pole vault while Jamail has a best of 55-8 in the shot and Hannie holds the school record of 172-3 in the hammer. Chretien and Richardson are both freshman, making their debuts with the Cowboys.

The Cowboys will be missing the performances of Darrick and Marcus Brown in the field events, the two being among the top jumpers in the conference. The two are taking the week off to get ready for a pro football timing day that will be held on campus next week. Both have completed their football eligibility at McNeese but are hoping for a tryout in the pro ranks.

As for the women field event performers, pole vaulter Julie Buller and shot putter DeAnn Washington should be among the leaders. Buller went over 11 feet during the indoor season and Washington has the team's top effort in the shot during the indoor season.

Next Saturday, McNeese will host its own Cowboy Relays.