The Nicholls indoor track season will come to an end in Houston this weekend as the Colonels compete in the Southland Conference Championships. Several Colonels will look to contend for their individual competitions.
Colonel shot putter Donnie Ourso looks to return to his early season form, when he won individual honors in the team’s first two meets.
From there, Ourso was sidelined for the following two meets due to neck surgery.
Colonel coach Matt Pantusa said Ourso returned for the Runsport Invite in Houston last weekend, but was a little rusty on his throws.
“Donnie needs to make a little adjustment on his grip. His footwork was a little off,” Pantusa said. “He hasn’t thrown in two months, so I’m not worried. He will be there at conference and should come through with some points.”
Another Colonel who Pantusa thinks will fare well is sprinter Jamaal James.
James will be competing in the 400-meter dash, but also runs the 200-meter, in which he set a new school record with a time of 22.87 at the Runsport Invite.
“Jamaal should be a contender in the 400 at conference,” Pantusa said. “He raced well in the 200 this past weekend, but in order for him to contend at conference, he will need to bring his time down in the low 22’s.”
Other runners Pantusa thinks will have an impact on his team’s scoring are Mikael Larsson and Farren Clark.
Both runners are coming off a good showing in the Runsport Invite, with Larsson winning his heat in the mile, and Clark setting a personal best in the 800-meter run.
“I see both of them making the finals and scoring some points at the SLC meet,” Pantsua said.
“Mikael looked very good in the mile,” Pantusa said. “He had to come from behind to take first place in heat.”
According to Pantusa, the Lady Colonels are going to also be well represented at the SLC meet.
Both the distance medley relay and 4X400-meter relay teams have already set new school records this season.
The distance medley relay team consists of Johanna and Emma Sjogren, Caroline Hulden, and Trina Peters.
The 4X400 team is basically the same as the distance medley with freshman Mercedes James taking the place of Peters.
Hulden, who has set the Lady Colonel 400-meter record this season, looks to continue her strides in that event at the SLC meet.
Pantusa said jumper Shayann Crabtree will compete in the pentathlon, which will be a first for the senior.
The pentathlon is made up of the 60-meter hurdles, shot put, long jump, high jump, and the 800-meter run.
“She never tried it before,” Pantusa said. “But I have a good feeling she will do something at the SLC meet.”
