McNeese’s Jalon White eyes Olympic dream

LAKE CHARLES – McNeese track and field sprinter Jalon White will be taking a step closer to achieving a dream of competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as a member of Team Canada at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas this Saturday and Sunday.

The event will be held at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau and will have more than 40 countries competing for this summer’s Olympic Games.

A native of Toronto, White will be running with either the 4×400 relay team or the mixed relays.

“It’s definitely a great feeling to be competing for my country,” said White, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the Southland Conference in the 400-meters and as a member of the 4×400 relay team. His fastest time in the 400s was clocked a 46.21 at the LSU Alumni Gold two weeks ago, ranking No. 2 on the school’s all-time list.

“I feel like I’m running the best I ever have right now,” said the 23-year-old. “It’s good to have that momentum building up to take to the Worlds and hopefully build on it there.”

White’s best time for the Cowboys on the 4×400 relay team this season is a 3:10.07, not too far off where he thinks he’ll need to be to have a chance at the Olympic Games.

“I think a three flat would do it,” he said. “I’d say that’s a rough estimate, but there are other things that can factor into the time. But something like that should get you in the top 12 and should qualify you.”

White’s training for this event hasn’t altered from how he trains for McNeese. A couple of hard days, some speed work, and off day where he’ll do some yoga or other stretching activities, then competition days.

“This is my first time to compete for my country in an international event so it’s very exciting,” he said. “Having an opportunity that I could possibly get to the Olympics, it’s a very good feeling.”

Following this weekend in the Bahamas, White will rejoin his McNeese team in Houston May 9-11 at the Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships where he’ll be looking to capture more wins in his specialty events.