Sophomore duo Hannah Naquin and Callie Scull opened the 2015 cross-country season by leading Nicholls to a win at the University of New Orleans Invitational earlier this month.

The UNO Invitational was conducted differently from typical meets by utilizing relay-style races. Scull ran the first two-mile leg of the race in a time of 13:00.8 before tagging Naquin. Scull’s time put Naquin in reach of the leaders when she began the second leg, which she completed in 12:31.9 to secure a first-place finish with a total time of 25:32.7 over the four-mile course.

“We were a little worried heading into UNO because we rarely run less than four miles when we train,” said Naquin. “Having Callie to run the first leg gave me something to go off of, and she did all the hard work, putting me in a good position.”

The women’s cross-country and track and field teams are gearing up for this years’ Southland Conference Track Meet since their record-setting performance at the end of the spring season. In February at the Southland Conference Championships, Nicholls runners set 22 personal and three school records, including the 4×100 team, which Scull was a part of.

“It was nice to have strong seniors last year that knew what they were doing,” Scull said. “Being a part of that team has encouraged me to embrace goals and competing.”

The two teams will each compete in three separate meets before heading to Huntsville, Texas on Oct. 30 to race for SLC medals. Joining Naquin and Scull on the cross-country squad this year are seniors Rachante Colebrook and Terrian Guaff, fellow sophomore Emily Sauce and freshman Brice Davis.

“We have a pretty steady foundation of endurance from our summer training,” Scull said. “Now we are working on increasing our tempo so we can finish the last mile at a faster pace.”

The only piece of equipment outside of running shoes and clothing afforded to these student-athletes are their bodies. Distance running, much like any sport on the collegiate level, requires a year-round training regimen that leaks into your diet and sleep regimen.

“Competing in collegiate track and field has made me much more aware of my body and how I take care of it,” Naquin said. “I try to be conscious of how much I eat and sleep so I can perform my best at practices, which are sometimes twice-a-day.”

Both Naquin and Scull bring unique attributes to the Colonels’ track and field team.

Scull comes to Thibodaux from Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was the most decorated athlete at APEX High School and set multiple school records. Her mother and father attended Nicholls during their undergraduate studies and Scull’s grandmother still lives in Vacherie.

Naquin was brought to Nicholls from Folsom primarily to compete in multiple events. In last spring’s conference meet, Naquin added the pentathlon to her list of running events.

“You’re constantly thinking about how you can keep your body healthy,” Scull said. “Being a college athlete is a lot of time and effort, but it’s totally worth it.”