By Edwin Crayton/Opinion

When you read about four board members of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation (NCIF) being two years over their term limits; then learn that they are part of a 15-member board that is overseeing 2 million dollars of money designated for the people of Natchitoches, it is easy to think the issue is only about money.  But look a little closer, dig a little deeper and you’ll see the real costs are things that cannot be added up on a calculator. To calculate these costs, you need a bit of insight into human nature and a lot of truth. Consider the following to be kind of an itemized bill of what the people of Natchitoches are paying every moment these term violators remain in seats that are not theirs:

Leo Walker, Oswald Taylor, Diane Blake Jones and Mildred Joseph have been on the board since 2015 according to IRS form 990 for 2015. That’s eight years. Problem is, they are only allowed to serve six years according to the NCIF bylaws. This means that eligible citizens are being denied an opportunity to serve just because these four refuse to give up their seats.  Yet the board–without being authorized to by the bylaws—allows them to hijack these seats anyway. The cost to the people of Natchitoches: Board members who are illegitimate are writing checks. Also, they are setting a dangerous precedent. They are saying it is alright to violate court-approved bylaws, setting an example for others to ignore the courts in the future. If they can do it, why can’t others? This is indeed a dangerous precedent for any community—people who are not properly authorized being in charge of funds designated for the public.

At the April quarterly meeting, one of the boldest of the violators, Leo Walker who is acting as chair submitted his “resignation” letter. He said he would resign immediately, with one catch: the board had to agree to accept his resignation. Obviously, you don’t have to have anyone’s approval to resign. You just do and you leave. That’s usually how it is done. But Walker seems to be stretching it out. The board voted to not accept the resignation “that night’. (Not surprised?) Because they meet only quarterly, that gave him another three months to remain in his seat. Sounds like a cheap trick? You bet. But what is worse is that Walker is a pastor. Pastors are supposed to obey the law and play by the rules. They are commanded by God himself to encourage people to do the right thing. Jesus set the example. How does a pastor justify remaining in his seat two years over the term limit? What is the example being set here? How do you preach righteousness and fairness on Sunday, but by Tuesday, you’re violating court approved bylaws by chairing a meeting and more than that, giving away public money when the bylaws prohibit your doing so, because you are not even supposed to be on the board?  We look up to religious leaders. We turn to them for guidance and expect them to set the example. The example in this case is not one we should want to imitate. It also seems fair to ask if this situation casts the Christian faith in a bad light, as Walker and many of the board members claim Christ.  The Bible tells us to avoid even the appearance of wrong doing (1 Thessalonians 5:22). If you were to make a list of things that would qualify as “appearing to be wrong” I believe violating term limits by two years would make the list.  To be clear, three board members have called upon Walker and the other violators to step down: Helen Obioha, Elton Wade and Jerry Walters. To those who would be tempted to say that this situation shows the hypocrisy of Christians, I would respond by reminding them that it is Christians who are also holding the violators accountable and calling on them to resign and to comply with the bylaws.

If you are like most people living in Natchitoches, you have probably never heard of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation.  However, that only illustrates that they have not had widespread impact on the town.  The money they have in their treasury is money from a settlement resulting from a lawsuit against Tennessee Gas after dangerous PCB chemicals were spilled into Sibley Lake. A plan approved by the District Court allowed that settlement money to be allocated for all people living in the city limits of Natchitoches. It was designated to be given away in the form of grants or scholarships in four areas: education, housing, recreation and economic development. In 2003, the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation was formed and began to distribute settlement funds in those areas. Citizens had to apply. But the money seemed to trickle instead of flow into the hands of citizens. Some frustrated citizens complained and others even sued NCIF. Think about this: There are children born in 2003 who have never heard of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation. They are now adults and most have never gotten a penny. This was a settlement. That means lots of people should get money or at least have their lives impacted. Especially when we are talking about 2 million dollars. Cost to the people of Natchitoches: Missed opportunities to help a lot of people and fund many dreams, and really “improve” Natchitoches in a big way. The spill harmed the people. How the settlement money is being mishandled is harming them once again.

Perhaps the main reason the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation has not had as much impact as it could have, is because it has instituted policies that actually prohibit public input.  For instance, at each quarterly meeting they don’t allow the public to give input or even ask questions until the very end of each meeting.  Contrast that to the way the Natchitoches City Council meetings are run. At City Council Meetings, the public is allowed to give input before the council votes on each decision. Then after hearing public input, the council votes. That’s the right way.  Here’s the wrong way: At NCIF meetings, the board does most of the talking, and doesn’t seem to want to hear from the public. They make all the decisions, without public input and then the public can comment on what has been done.  The result of shutting the public out is that a small group of people on a board make the decisions for over 18,000 residents.  What would happen we let the Democratic process work? What if the people had input on how their money was spent before it was spent? We could give more than just a dozen or half dozen scholarships a year. We could give 100 or more. We could help many people in Natchitoches who struggle to feed and clothe their families. We could help small businesses get a start. We could fund affordable housing. We could create recreation for children and youth, distracting them from gun violence. We could improve Natchitoches in a number of other ways that I am sure you could dream up. But first we need to remove the cork that is stopping the flood of funds from going through the bottleneck and reaching the all of the people of Natchitoches. 

What can you do? Attend quarterly meetings. Help fill up the room.  NCIF needs to know that the people of Natchitoches are awake and paying attention.  Your presence says a lot.  Your absence says a lot too. It emboldens this board in ways that are not in your interest. Nominate someone to be on the board or nominate yourself. To be eligible you only need to be over 17, live in the city limits of Natchitoches and not be a felon.  Send your nomination to NCIF, P.O. Box 606, Natchitoches, LA  71458.

The worse thing you can do is do nothing.  Silence is a form of complicity. Pray, but put feet to your prayers. The next meeting is July 11, 7pm at 1^st Baptist Church, 1116 Amulet Street, Natchitoches.

At the end of the day, this is your money. Remind the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation of that.

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Huey Long and the story of his fascination and commitment to the development of LSU is told in great detail by Bob Mann in Kingfish U. The recently released book is a treasure for any observer of Louisiana Politics, LSU, college football and most certainly, the Golden Band from Tigerland!!

Friday, May 12th at approximately 8:30pm at The Natchitoches Jazz & R&B Festival an African American woman, Latorria Freeman was assaulted by Parish President John Richmond. We are offering a $1000 reward to anyone who has additional videos of this incident. We also want to thank those who have already sent video coverage of this unfortunate event. If you have any additional videos not already submitted, please contact  Attorney Bridgett Brown at (318) 443-9000.

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By Brad Dison

It was 1957 in Long Beach, New York.  Billy’s father had finally decided to trade in their old 1948 Chevrolet for a new car.  Although it was the only car Billy could remember the family owning, he was glad to see it go.  Billy described their old car as a “big, black, boxy,” “ugly automobile” with a sun visor over the front windshield which made the car look like it was wearing a fedora.  It reminded him of a getaway car from gangster films of the 1930s. Brimming with pride, Billy’s dad called home to tell everyone to be out in the driveway precisely at noon to welcome the new car.   Everyone in the household—Billy, his two brothers, and his mother—could hardly stand the anticipation.  They argued playfully about which make, model, and even the color of car dad was bringing home.  Mom hoped for a Chrysler Imperial. Joel wanted a Ford Fairlane. Rip wanted a Chevrolet Bonneville.  Billy hoped for a Cadillac regardless of color or model.  His siblings and mother each held firm to their preferred choice.  Suddenly, they heard a HONK! HONK!  Billy’s dad turned the new family car into the driveway.  Billy, his mother, and brothers stood there in silence.  Their jaws had dropped.  Billy’s dad pulled into the driveway in a brand new…two tone gray Plymouth Belvedere.  Although it had big fins, red leather interior, and push-button transmission, it was far from the car of their dreams.  Billy’s dad loved the car and named it “Nellie.”

To celebrate their new car, Billy’s dad took the family to their favorite Chinese restaurant in Long Beach.  Billy’s dad strategically sat the family in the front booth of the restaurant so he could stare out and admire the new Plymouth through the large picture window.  Nothing, they thought, could spoil Billy’s dad’s mood, and they were happy for him.  Suddenly, they heard a horrendous crash.  They looked out of the window, and, for the second time that day, their jaws dropped.  A brand new 1957 Lincoln Continental had just crashed into the back of Nellie.  The force of the impact slammed Nellie into the car in front of it.  Billy’s dad’s pride was almost as crushed as his new car.  They instantly recognized the man who staggered out of the driver’s seat of the Lincoln Continental as Big John Ormento, one of the most dangerous gangsters who lived in Long Beach.  Against the advice of his whole family, Billy’s dad left the restaurant booth and went to look at his precious Nellie.  Big John, so inebriated that he could hardly stand, looked at Billy’s dad, then at the damages to all three cars.  Without saying a word, Big John ran back to his damaged car and fled the scene. 

By this time a crowd, which included Billy’s family, had gathered around Nellie and the other damaged car.  A policeman arrived and asked Billy’s dad what happened.  Billy’s mother was confused for only a moment when Billy’s dad replied that they had heard the crash but by the time they got to the car the culprit was gone.  Billy’s dad, never one to tell a lie, was protecting his family.   The cop concluded that some kids driving too fast had caused the accident.  That should have been the end of the story.

The next morning, Billy’s family sat quietly in the living room saddened by the crumpled car parked in their driveway when the doorbell rang.  Billy opened the door and was shocked to see Big John standing there.  “Can I see your father, please?”  Terrified by the thought that Big John was there to kill his father and maybe the whole family, Billy somehow replied that he would see if he could find his dad.  Billy nervously closed the door.  Big John was unaccustomed to this type of behavior but took it in stride.  Billy ran to his father and told him Big John wanted to see him.  Billy tried to tell his father to escape through the back door or maybe a window, but Billy’s dad just said to let Big John in the house.  The small living room made Big John seem even larger than he was.  After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Big John said, “How fast do you think your car was going when it backed into my car?”  Everyone froze.  Big J began a deep hysterical laugh.  Big John was only joking.  He apologized for the damages to Nellie and thanked Billy’s father for not “ratting him out” to the policeman. 

To show his appreciation, Big John offered to buy Billy’s dad a brand-new car of any make and model he wanted.  Billy’s thoughts returned to Cadillac.  Mom thought of the Chrysler Imperial.  Joel imagined a Ford Fairlane.  Rip daydreamed about a Chevrolet Bonneville.  Billy’s dad, however, thought only of Nellie, his precious Plymouth Belvedere, and politely declined the offer.  Billy’s dad explained with a certain sense of pride that Nellie was the car he had worked and paid for. Billy’s mother put her arms around his father.   Big John was not in the habit of being told no, but Billy’s dad was firm.  Billy’s dad finally relented and allowed Big John to have the car repaired.  Two weeks later, Big John returned Nellie to Billy’s family.  The family cautiously checked to ensure that there was no body in the trunk.  Billy’s dad proudly drove Nellie, the two-tone gray Plymouth Belvedere, for the next decade.  This story was kept secret in Billy’s family for over 50 years.  It took a while, but Billy eventually saw the humor in the situation, which we should expect.  You and I know Billy because of his skills at acting, comedy, and filmmaking.  His name is Billy Crystal.

Source:

Crystal, Billy. 2005. 700 Sundays. New York, NY: Time Warner Book Group.

The Natchitoches Regional Medical Center’s announced one of its All Stars for its upcoming Gala on May 20: Verline Spillman Parker. To all those who adore her, she’s “MawMaw.” She is an iconic fixture at sporting events everywhere for all ages of boys and girls. Her motto is “I am going to live until I die” and dares anyone to try to slow her down!

To donate in Verline’s name, read more about her journey, or learn more about the NRMC Foundation Gala: https://nrmcfoundation.org/annual-events/annual-gala/

Natchitoches’ downtown riverbank was once again transformed into a packed, standing room only musical powerhouse by the annual Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival, Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13. This year’s event, in its 26th year of musical excellence, featured 20 bands and singers on three stages playing everything from Zydeco to Jazz, Country, and Rock throughout the day to a delighted crowd.

The Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival has grown to become the largest live music festival in Northern Louisiana and a preeminent destination for live music aficionados. This year’s festival boasted the largest attendance in the event’s history to its Friday night opening. Advance Ticket Sales also set a record.

The festival continued its tradition of featuring a wide variety of musical styles as well as encouraging local talent. The 50 Man Machine returned with what may very well be the only bagpipers ever to grace a Natchitoches stage, showing once again that bagpipes make everything better! The locally grown acts of The Nakatosh Rhythm Chiefs and Cane River Soul were just a sampling of the musical entertainment available to festivalgoers.

Houston’s Klockwork band could almost be considered a local band as they feature several members who are NCHS Alumni. The group’s silky-smooth R&B numbers were followed by Natchitoches’ iconic Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs. The long-time local favorite, a fixture of the local music scene and the only band to have played at all 26 Jazzfests, delighted the crowd once again with its eclectic blend of songs.

Things got even busier on the packed dance area in front of the stage as Cupid and his band played their signature standard, The Cupid Shuffle, as well as a selection of Zydeco and dance hits.

The festival then took on a distinctly country flair as Singers Tracy Byrd and Mark Chestnut closed out the evening with superb performances that kept the good times rolling. The musicians at this year’s festival once again gave the audience their money’s worth and then some.

There will be a regularly scheduled meeting of the Natchitoches Parish Council tonight, May 15, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Council Board Room, #211 on the 2nd Floor of the Courthouse.

Agenda for tonight’s meeting:

This annual event is the main fundraiser for the Varsity Tiger Football Team.  Louisiana Crawfish Company is the sponsor for the crawfish boil.  Tickets are available from any St. Mary’s football player or the school office.  For more information, or to become a tee sponsor for $150, contact head coach, Aaron York at ayork@smstigers.org.  

The Cane River Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) held their monthly meeting on May 9 and awarded two Husband’s of a Daughter of the American Revolution, “HODAR”, Awards.  Recipients were Christopher Sylvia, husband of Frances Sylvia Chapter Historian and Robert DunnMiller, husband of Carolynn DunnMiller Chapter Registrar.  Mr. Sylvia and Mr. DunnMiller have given countless hours of volunteer work to the chapter and the state society.  HODAR’s do so much to support their active DAR spouses.  To show the chapter’s appreciation each was given a customized 100% silk tie, pin and certificate.

Chapter Regent Peggy Aycock presented a program on DAR Insignia pins and official ribbons.  Afterwards the members enjoyed refreshment provided by Minnie Metoyer, Jeanette Foor, Vera Severin, Martha Conde, Yolande Pinckley and France Sylvia.  This concluded the monthly meetings until September.  

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890. 

If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, please email caneriverlsdar@gmail.com.

The Lakeview High School Air Force JROTC held their 2022-2023 awards banquet on May 3.  Attending the event were members of the Natchitoches Parish Schools including the  Superintendent, Natchitoches Parish School Board members, Lakeview High School principals, the NPSO resource officer, representatives from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Daughters of the American Revolution Foundation, as well as family and friends of the Cadet Corps.

During the evening, the Cadet Corps Officers briefed the audience about projects they were involved in, community service they performed, and group achievements completed during the school year.  Highlights included:

• 93% of Cadet Corps participated in 1 community service event
• 88% of Cadet Corps participated in 2 or more community service events
• The Cadets performed 1,233 community service hours (and still counting!)
• Academically, the Cadet Corps delivered an average GPA that was 15% higher than students who were not in AFJROTC
• 95% Cadet Corps participated in at least one AFJROTC after-school team activity
• They re-established the Drill Color Guard and established an unarmed exhibition drill team to enhance cadet retention and grow the unit’s esprit de corps (pride/fellowship)
• They participated in 3 parades and 3 drill competitions
• Marksmanship Team highlights included:
  • LA State Marksmanship Tournament – 2nd Air Force division:  #6 of 30 teams (all services)
  • McMichael All Blue Tournament:  Peyton Cunningham #3 of 167 competitors (standing position)
  • McMichael All Blue Tournament:  Lakeview Team 1 – #13 of 91 teams (Team 1: Peyton Cunningham, Dylan Fulton, Danny Smith, Sydney Thompson)
• The Cadet Corps also planned & executed a Bataan Death March Memorial Hike. Cadets hiked 14 miles to raise community awareness of armed forces service members’ sacrifices.
  • During WWII, The Battle of Bataan began in January 1942 between the Imperial Japanese Army and the Allied Forces (American and Filipino service members) and ended 99 days later with the Allied troops surrender.  The Bataan Death March took place over the next two weeks in April 1942 when the Imperial Japanese Army forced 76,000 (sick, starving, exhausted) Allied soldiers to march about 80 miles across the Bataan Peninsula (Philippines) to Camp O’Donnell.  During this trek, prisoners were subjected to horrendous treatment.  Only 54,000 prisoners survived the march to the camp.  Of those surviving prisoners, an additional 27,500 died of torture, starvation, and disease while at the camp.

The cadets’ presentation was followed by Major Stacey Wiggins, USAF Retired and Chief Master Sergeant John Thomas, USAF Retired, presenting the annual and individual LHS AFJROTC awards.  The annual award winners were as follows:

• Air Force Association Award – Kaytlynn Walsworth
• The Order of the Daedallions Award – Colie Killingsworth
• Daughters of the American Revolution – Dylan Fulton (also selected for Boy’s State)
• American Legion Scholastic – Natalee Lebrun
• American Legion Military Excellence- Sydney Thompson
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Award – Peyton Cunningham
• The Order of the Daughters of 1812 Award – Macey Jarnagin
• Military Order of World Wars Award – Warrick Ybarra
• American Veterans Award – Hailey Jarnagin
• Air Force Sergeants Association – Hannah Walsworth
• Tuskegee Airman Award – Carl Myart
• Celebrate Freedom Foundation – Tramon Lloyd

Cadets of the Year

• Freshman:  Macey Jarnagin
• Sophomore:  Colie Killingsworth
• Junior:  Kaytlynn Walsworth
• Senior:  Hannah Walsworth

Fitness Awards

• Female Cadet – Kaytlynn Walsworth
• Male Cadet – Warrick Ybarra

Academic Awards

• Underclassman – Kyla Breaux
• Upperclassman – Kaytlynn Walsworth

The big announcement of the evening was that Cadet Kaytlynn Walsworth, the Cadet Corps Commander brought home a state title to Lakeview High School when she was selected by Headquarters Air Force as the State of Louisiana’s Cadet of the Year.  She was 1 of 37 cadets out of 126,000 cadets worldwide to receive this honor.  She will go on to compete for the Elite 8 cadets in the world.

Congratulations to the LHS AFJROTC award recipients (including many not listed above) and to all the LHS AFJROTC Cadet Corps for their group and individual accomplishments!  

The Change of Command was conducted and Cadet Kaytlynn Walsworth handed over her position as the Cadet Corps Commander to Cadet Colie Killingsworth.

At the end of the evening, Major Wiggins presented a personalized LHS picture to retiring LHS Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer, Sergeant Kevin Lewis, as appreciation for his 11 years of dedication and service to the school and its students.  The picture was signed by LHS AFJROTC cadets.

Lastly, a heartfelt thanks goes out to the following individuals who support our program and aid in LHS AFJROTC’s continued success!

• Dr. Grant Eloi, Superintendent of Natchitoches Parish Schools
• Mr. Chad Fredieu, Natchitoches Parish District 7 School Board Member
• Mr. Steven Harris, District 8 School Board Member
• Ms. Karla Renter, Lakeview High School Principal
• Ms. Kathy Canerday, Lakeview High School Assistant Principal
• Sgt. Kevin Lewis, Lakeview High School Resource Officer
• Ms. Dee Fowler, Commander of American Legion Gordon Peters Post 10
• Mr. Ted Fowler, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) J. C. Keyser Post 1962
• Ms. Francis Sylvia, Daughters of the American Revolution Foundation
• Family and friend of the NHS AFJROTC cadets

Cane River Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) recently awarded the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Medals to students at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches Central High School and Lakeview High School.

Mike McConathy talks about jobs, education, logging, agriculture and oil and gas issues that are a key to his campaign for State Senate

Natchitoches Leadership Through Athletics Committee (NLTAC) will hold its 7th annual awards ceremony on Saturday, May 20 at 10 am in the AT&T Room at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in downtown Natchitoches. The “Best-of-the-Best” senior-year athletes from Lakeview, Natchitoches Central and St. Mary’s High Schools will be recognized for out standing athletic contributions via their chosen sanctioned-Louisiana High Athletic Association (LHSAA) sport(s), academic profile and school/Community extracurricular activities.

Elijah Nixon, sports reporter/sports analyst at NBC affiliate KALB Channel 5 in Alexandria, will be the guest speaker at the event.

Several standing awards will be presented They include: “Becca” Allen Softball Award, Joe Dumars Basketball Award, J.D. Garrett Football Award, Shantel Hardison Basketball Award, Pat Listach Baseball Award, E. Petey Perot Football Award, Stephanie Sowell Track and Field Award and the Charlie Tolar Football Award. The specialty awards includes: the Andre’ Jackson, Sr. Memorial Football Award and Scholarship and the W.D. Braxton Extra-Mile Award. The new (2023) awards, Robert Lewis Walker Memorial Award and the Calvin C. “Snoop Dogg” Broadus Leadership Award.

For information, call: (318) 357-2492 or (318) 332-8254.

CANYON, Texas—The long jumpers and the women’s 4×100 relay team each helped themselves in their quest to reach the NCAA East prelims in Jacksonville, Florida on Friday at the West Texas A&M Last Chance Meet. 

Adam Lindo and Andrew Gilreath positioned themselves for a trip to Jacksonville with impressive jumps. The pairing went 1-2 with Lindo winning with a big 25-0 jump to put him in a tie for 30^th place in the event. The top 48 in the region head to the NCAA first round. 

Gilreath came in second at the meet with a 24-11.25 and more importantly, the distance put him in a tie for 33^rd in the region to put himself in position to head to Jacksonville. 

“Adam and Andrew had a great day,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “They really stepped up big after having their marks taken away from conference. I’m excited that they came back after the disappointment of the conference mishap and qualify for the NCAA first round.” 

The women’s 4×100 relay team of Victoria Byrd, Lynell Washington, Maygan Shaw and Vanessa Balde posted a season best with a 44.83 in the meet to jump from 25^th in the region to 23^rd. The top 24 relay teams reach the NCAA first round. Only one team per school reaches the first round.                                        

While they didn’t improve upon their season bests, the throwers are in good shape of making it to Jacksonville. 

Djimon Gumbs tossed a 61-7.75 in the last chance meet, just shy of the 63-1.5 he set at the Cowboy Relays, which is currently ninth in the region. 

In the discus, Djimon Gumbs, Diamante Gumbs and Tarajh Hudson all fell shy of their season-bests, but are currently in the top 30 in the region. 

Lynell Washington ran a 12.00 in Canyon in the 100-meter dash, but still ranks tied for 40^th with an 11.40 she had at the Battle on the Bayou. The cutoff point at this moment is an 11.42. 

Simon Wulff participated in the 100 and 200-meters for the Demons, aiming to improve his standing. While he didn’t improve his numbers at the last chance meet, he is still holding onto a spot in both events, ranking 33^rd in the 100-meters (10.22) and tied for 45^th in the 200-meters (20.73) with the top 48 heading to Jacksonville. 

Sian Weller is hanging on to the final spot in the 400-meter hurdles with a 58.97, ranking 48^th in the region. She ran a 1:00.02 in the meet as she tried to improve her time to make the NCAA first round. 

“Overall, I was very pleased with everyone,” Heimerman said. “After competing at a super high level at conference for three days and the travel with that, then compete on very short turn around for this meet with the super long bus ride, it was impressive to have this type of showing.” 

The qualifiers head to the NCAA first round in Jacksonville for a four-day event, beginning May 24. The NCAA nationals will be held June 7 in Austin, Texas.