McNeese women, UIW men claim first Southland Outdoor Track & Field Championships 

Huskies’ Kaitlin Smith, Demons’ Djimon Gumbs named Most Valuable Performers 

HUMBLE, Texas – The 2022 Southland Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships wrapped Sunday afternoon at Turner Stadium in Humble, Texas. The McNeese women and UIW men each captured its first team title in program history.

The Cowgirls completed the meet with 189 points to lead the women’s standings, followed by runner-up Cardinals with 159 points. UIW’s 157 points bested the men’s standings, just ahead of Northwestern State’s 133 points.

Demons’ Djimon Gumbs was named the men’s Most Valuable Performer (MVP) after registering 24 points for NSU. Gumbs claimed gold in the men’s discus (18.48m) and men’s shotput (54.25m). He added four more points to the Demons scoreboard with a fifth-place finish in the men’s javelin (55.27m). HBU’s Kaitlin Smith dominated in her events, recording nine first-place finishes among the three-day championship. Smith was awarded the women’s MVP after recording 37 points for the Huskies.

Smith added another medal to her trophy case after she found gold in the women’s 100m hurdles, crossing the finish line at 13.51. The senior finished third in the 400m hurdles, securing bronze with a time of 1:01.30. Teammate Jessica Rabius defended her title with a 2:11.59 first-place finish to secure her third Southland 800m title.

The Cowgirls found themselves on the podium five times Sunday afternoon, led by first-place finisher Sakari Famous in the high jump. McNeese recorded a pair of second-place finishes in the 4X100m and 4x400m, while Janelle Fullerton and Danna Diaz secured bronze medals in the women’s discus and 1500m race, respectively.

The Demons took home seven medals on day three. Hayden Barrios improved eight spots from last year to secure the gold in the men’s pole vault with a 5.00m mark. Teammate Destine Scott added 10 more points to NSU’s score with a first-place finish in the men’s 400m dash. The Demons secured the top three spots in the men’s Discus, led by MVP Gumbs with a 54.25m throw. Kie’Ave Harry and Destine Scott recorded second-place finishes in the men’s 100m and 200m dash.

The top three finishers in each event final are recognized as First, Second and Third Team All-Conference, respectively. Individual men’s and women’s awards for Coach of the Year, Outstanding Running Events Performer, Outstanding Field Events Performer, Freshman of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Athlete of the Year will be nominated and voted upon by head coaches in the coming week.

For athletes that achieved qualifying marks this season, the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be hosted at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon., June 8-11.

Women’s Final Team Standings 

Men’s Final Team Standings 

Day Two Champions