Setting the Nicholls record in the 400-meter dash has been a weekly event for sprinter Jamaal James. He again completed the task Saturday at the Southern Mississippi Invitational in Hattiesburg, Miss. The cold weather the Colonels endured had no effect on James, as he took first place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.46. His time was the fastest of all Southland Conference runners in the event this season.
“The sprinters and throwers had a harder time competing in the 43 degree weather, but they all improved from last week’s meet,” Nicholls head coach Matt Pantusa said. “The cold especially had no affect on James, who ran a great race.”
James said running in the cold is harder on the runners because the leg muscles contract faster.
“With the cold, you don’t want to pull a muscle or tear something, so you have to warm up a bit more before competing,” James said.
During the indoor season, James was the first Colonel sprinter to ever be named All-Southland Conference after placing third at the SLC Championship meet, for his efforts in the 400-meter race.
James credits his success to the way he trains in preparation for the meets.
“I think coaching combined with the teammates I work with, enable me to get better each week,” James said. “Troy Alvarado is always pushing me in our workouts, so I guess its all finally coming together.”
James was not contempt on just setting one record at Hattiesburg, as he helped the 4X400-meter relay team set a new Nicholls mark with a time of 3:19.20.
“Jamaal is very valuable to the team,” Pantusa said. “His 400 (meter) times keep improving, and he also is a crucial member of the 4X400 (meter) team which performed well at Hattiesburg.”
The relay team, comprised of James, Farren Clark, Alvarado and Jeremy Brown, took first place in their respected heat and finished fifth overall.
“Jamaal began the race and got us the early lead,” Pantusa said. “From there, Farren, Troy, and Jeremy ran hard and held the lead.”
James said he felt his teammates helped the squad set the new school record.
“Troy, Farren, and Jeremy were all hitting on their cylinders, so we were able to hang in there,” James said.
Former Colonel football wide receiver, Sullivan Beard, competed in two events for the Colonels.
Beard won his heat in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.05 and also participated in the long jump, leaping 23 ft. which is the Colonels’ longest jump of the year. Beard placed 11th and fifth respectively in his events.
Farren Clark placed fourth in the 800-meter run with a personal best time of 1:55.24.
Donnie Ourso contributed to the Colonel cause with a fourth place finish in the shot put, by tossing 50 ft.
Ourso has the longest throw out of all the Southland Conference tossers, with a mark of 53-01.00 earlier this season.
On the women’s side, Shayann Crabtree broke the school record in the heptathlon at Texas A&M’s College Station Relays Saturday.
Crabtree recorded 3555 total points during the competition. Crabtree leaped 36-01.50 ft. to finish seventh in the triple jump competition.
“She broke the school record at Texas A&M in her first try,” Pantusa said. “I’m sure she will improve during the season as her confidence grows.”
