BATON ROUGE, La. (WNTZ) — After a challenging three-day stretch at the Texas Relays and Bobcat Invitational, the Northwestern State track and field teams return to Louisiana for the Pelican Relays, a two-day meet beginning Friday.

Originally set to compete at the Warhawk Invitational in Monroe, the Demons and Lady Demons adjusted their plans due to expected inclement weather, opting instead to head to Baton Rouge.

“It’s supposed to be dry down there, and we’re supposed to have some great wind,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “Monroe will have thunderstorms all day, and we had enough of the rain last weekend in Texas. We’re just hoping to get a good meet in and get some work in.”

The competition begins with the men’s hammer throw and women’s javelin, followed by the reverse events. Running events start at 4 p.m. with the women’s 200-meter dash. Three of Northwestern State’s next four meets will take place in Louisiana.

Wilson, Shaw Shine in Texas

At the Texas Relays and Bobcat Invitational, Northwestern State’s sprinters delivered standout performances. Tavis Wilson ran a season-best 10.37 seconds in the 100-meter dash, finishing 10th out of 47 competitors in San Marcos. He also posted a 21.54 in the 200-meter dash, securing another top-10 finish.

“I feel great right now,” Wilson said. “Mentally, I feel good after coming back from that, and I am confident. I don’t feel anybody can beat me right now.”

Maygan Shaw continued her dominant season, setting a personal best of 23.42 in the 200-meter dash to win at the Bobcat Invitational. She also contributed to the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams, with the latter posting a 3:32.45, the fastest time in the Southland Conference this season. Shaw currently leads the conference in four events (200m, 400m, 4×100, and 4×400) and has earned player of the week honors in both indoor and outdoor seasons.

Field Athletes Making an Impact

Jaslyn Smith and Elijah Rowe also delivered strong performances in Texas. Smith set season bests in the triple jump (41-1.5) and long jump (18-9.75), ranking in the top four in the Southland in both events. She finished fourth at the conference indoor meet, helping the Lady Demons secure another conference championship.

“I want to at least jump 20 feet in the long jump,” Smith said. “I really need to get my run together and jump as far as I can.”

Rowe leads the Southland in the long jump with a mark of 24-3.75, achieved at the Bobcat Invitational. He also ranks ninth in the 200-meter dash (21.39) and 100-meter dash (10.52).

“Elijah is a really good athlete and a really talented young man,” Heimerman said. “We knew what we were getting with him, and he is starting to get his training underneath him. He is going to have a really good outdoor season. When you have a good work ethic and work hard, good things happen.”

Following the Pelican Relays, Northwestern State will host the Leon Johnson Invitational on April 12 at the Walter P. Ledet Track Complex before concluding the regular season with three meets leading up to the Southland Conference Championships.