HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University track and field team will make the short drive on Interstate 12 to Baton Rouge for the first time in the 2024 outdoor season schedule, looking to build off a successful first weekend outside, as they head to LSU's Bernie Moore Complex for the Keyth Talley Invitational.
 
Esther Nwanze, the reigning Southland Conference Women's Track Athlete of the Week, is set to run for history on Saturday as she looks to become the first Lady Lion in a decade to break a minute in the 400-meter hurdles after winning that competition at last weekend's Louisiana Classics in a time of 1:00.80, needing to improve her time by less than a second to reach that milestone while also currently sitting in a good place to qualify for the South-Central Regional meet.
 
Miriam Kauer will be looking to improve on her bronze medal-winning personal best time from last week in the 400-meter dash, hoping to improve her standing on the medal podium and in the run for a postseason spot. Both Nwanze and Kauer, along with Onyah Favour and Porsha Miles, are also set to participate in the 4x400-meter relay, where the Lady Lions will be looking to improve their standing after taking third place in Lafayette in that race last week as well.
 
On the men's side, Javon-Taye Williams will also look to improve on a time that already won him a gold medal this outdoor season in the 400-meter dash. Williams will also look to help improve the 4x800-meter relay team's solid first run as he combined with Tim Anstett, Josiah Whitaker, and Noah Kiprotich to earn a third-place finish in SLU's first attempt in that relay. Darian Chestnut is hoping for more after taking home a silver medal in the 800-meter run from the Louisiana Classics.
 
On the field, the men's side heads into Saturday with lots of momentum after a five-medal day in Lafayette a week ago, three of which were golds. Slavko Stevic will look to further lock in his position in the regional as he sits second in the entire nation in the high jump after last weekend's action. Terrell Webb took home gold in the hammer throw while also putting up solid marks in the discus throw. Gerrit Visser was right behind Webb in the hammer in Lafayette, showing exceptional promise to start the season. Gabriel Lim won his first collegiate javelin competition and looks to improve his marks from there.
 
The women's field team will also be trying for improved marks from the first outdoor meet. Lara Zupanc will look to jump higher in the pole vault while Anna Ferrand will go for a longer throw in the second javelin throw of her Southeastern career. Jordyn Taylor will be trying to jump farther to improve on her long jump and triple jump marks from a week ago.
 
The day kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with the women's hammer throw starting the competition while the track gets going in the afternoon with the women's 4x400-meter relay at 1 p.m. at Bernie Moore Stadium.
 
PODIUM CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the track and field program are encouraged to join the Podium Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. All membership fees and donations to Podium Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern track and field program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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