The Nicholls track team set two new school records, as it competed in the Pelican Relays on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge Friday and Saturday. The Lady Colonels distance medley relay team’s time of 13:04.07 was 20 seconds faster than its previous record.
The team consisted of Emma and Johanna Sjorgen, Mercedes James, and Caroline Hulden. These four Lady Colonels also hold the 4X400-meter dash school mark.
Colonel track coach Matt Pantusa was impressed with the running of James and Hulden.
“Mercedes ran a 2:23 and Caroline ran 58.6 in their respected splits,” Pantusa said. “They are ready for the next level of competition, and I think they will do well in the upcoming events.”
Hulden, Emma Sjorgen, James and Jocelynn Smart also broke the Nicholls record in the women’s sprint medley relay with a time of 4:15.29.
This was the first time the Lady Colonels competed in that event this year.
During the relay, James’ split of 55.80 in the 400-meter portion of the race would have broken Lady Colonel teammate Hulden’s record in the 400-meter dash.
“Mercedes ran a good race, in fact it could have been her best meet of the season,” Pantusa said. “It will be interesting to see her run against Caroline in the 400-meter dash at future meets.”
Kristy Mire was another top Lady Colonel finisher, placing second in the javelin competition with a throw of 130 ft. 10 in. Mire is ranked second in the Southland Conference standings in the javelin.
On the men’s side, their distance medley relay team put up a time of 10:42.30.
The team included Farren Clark, Jamaal James, Jeremy Brown, and Kevin Zwezdaryk.
“It was an outstanding performance by Jamaal James, who ran the 800-meter portion of the race,” Pantusa said. “Farren Clark got us off to a good start.
“I’m looking for great things from both of them, because they are both good quality runners,” Pantusa said.
Jamaal James was the top runner in his heat and placed second overall in the 400-meter dash, clocking in at 47.90.
“Jamaal placed second overall, because the top finisher in the other heat had a faster time,” Pantusa said. “The guy that beat Jamaal was for real.
“I tried to get him in the same heat with the top runner, but the officials wouldn’t allow,” Pantusa said. “If he would have ran against him, I know his (Jamaal) time would have been better.”
Clark was tied for individual honor in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:57.04.
“Farren was a little disappointed with his time,” Pantusa said. “But first place is first place.”
On April 7, Colonel shot putter Donnie Ourso notched a second place finish at the Tulane Invitational.
“It was not his best throw of the season,” Pantusa said. “But it’s OK, because we have bigger meets coming up.
“He has a new golden shot put, so he’s going to try to win the gold with the gold,” Pantusa said.
Nicholls next track meet will be April 21, as the Colonels travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a meet at the University of Southern Mississippi.
