Nicholls’ 600-meter runners high point of Colonels’ track effort at LSU Purple Tiger meet

The 600 meters proved to be the high point for the Nicholls track teams at the LSU Purple Tiger meet held in Baton Rouge on Friday to open the indoor season.

“The 600 (meters), I think, was definitely the highlight of the meet. Our mid-distance crew came back really fit and had a great showing,” Nicholls coach Stefanie Slekis said.

For the women, Maria Nikolaou finished fifth among 20 participants in the women’s 600m with a time of 1:38.27.

Among the women, Goran Duijsters was the seventh in a field of 35 runners in the men’s 600, finishing with a time of 1:23.92.

“That sets him up really well for where we think he’ll be in the 800 meter later this season,” Slekis said.

Along with Nikolaou, other Nicholls women with top 10 finishes included Mounie Pickens, who finish seventh out of seven runners in the women’s 200m in a time of 28.61; Coren Casborn, who finished eighth out of eight participants in the women’s 200m with a time of 1:13.32; and Sophia Harrison, who finished ninth out of 11 runners in the women’s 200m with a time of 2:39.88.

Mary Guy set a personal record in the women’s shot put with a distance of 8.65m.

Also setting a personal record was Nia Maye in the women’s 60m prelims with a time of 7.90.

The Nicholls women’s 4 x 400 meter relay team of Nikolaou, Maye, Kassidy Besson, and Layla Ingalls placed eighth among nine teams with a time of 4:13.81.

Among the men, three Nicholls runners had a seven-nine finish in the 400m in a field of 15 runners. Kamren Washington was seventh with a time of 53.77. Nick Coonan-Bailey edged Nisaiah Bennett for eighth place. Coonan-Bailey turned in a time of 53.811 and Bennett 53.819.

Michael Crawford was fourth out of five runners in the men’s 200 meters with a time of 24.04.

Kahlil Lewis placed fifth among five runners in the men’s 200 with a time of 24.08.

Amari Gaudet narrowly missed making the final in the 60 meters.

 “He’s just as fit as last year, if not fitter. He ran 6.84 in the 60 and was the first one out of the final. I think he eased up a little bit at the line, so he definitely should have been in the final if he’d run all the way through,” Slekis.

Three male Colonel runners set personal records at the event.

Luke Futey placed 19th among 31 runners in the men’s 1 mile with a time of 4:38.01.

William Bellina finished 24th and Patrick Alleman 31st among 35 participants in the 600m. Bellina’s time was 1:28.95 and Alleman finished with a time of 1:32.81.

The Nicholls men’s 4 x 400 meter relay team of Coonan-Bailey, Duijsters, Alex Hartline, and Lewis placed finished eleventh among 12 teams with a time of 3:41.80.

“Just a really solid opener,” Slekis said. “I think everyone else is kind of getting the rust off a little. Our hurdlers knew the things they need to fix. They’re just off of where they need to be, but still plenty fit and just need to get back to training with (assistant coach Seth Andres) and be ready for the next race opportunity.”