I’m about to tell you something no preacher has ever told you. You may want to sit down. You may want to brace yourself. You may want to alert the denominational office, because if this leaks out, it could change the face of Christianity as we know it.

Ready?

It is holy, righteous, and perfectly acceptable for you to say “No.”

Not “no” to sin—we already know that one. I’m talking about a radical, countercultural, spiritually liberating “no” to good things. To church things. To “we’vealwaysdoneitthisway” things. To “we need a warm body on this committee” things.

You no longer have to say, “Let me pray about it,” when you already know the Holy Spirit is whispering, “Child… absolutely not.”

You have permission—pastoral, biblical, Christcentered permission—to use the word “no” freely, joyfully, and without guilt.

We live in a culture that treats “no” like a fourletter word. We’re so polite, so conflictavoidant, so eager to be liked, that we twist ourselves into pretzels trying to find “winwin” solutions.

Meanwhile, our souls are running on fumes.

Jesus Himself said “no” all the time. He said “no” to crowds who wanted Him to stay. “No” to disciples who wanted Him to skip the cross. “No” to temptations that promised shortcuts.

If the Son of God could say “no” without guilt, surely His followers can too.

This revelation hit me while changing the air filters at the house. We have two units, which means two filters, which means two opportunities for sanctification.

I went to the discount store, the only place in Ruston that carries my size—and brought home the filters. When I unwrapped them, I noticed something odd.

Let me pause here.

Why is everything wrapped in plastic?  Who decided my air filter needed to be hermetically sealed like it was going on a space mission? Why is my chewing gum wrapped like it’s a national security threat?

Somewhere, a committee met, and not one brave soul stood up and said, “No. Wrapping an air filter in plastic is dumb.”

Back to the filter.

Under the plastic was a sheet titled, “Getting to Know Your Filter.” I’m sorry… what? I don’t want a relationship with my filter. I don’t need to know its hopes, dreams, or how many microns it filters. If you’re out there reading airfilter biographies, I say this with love: get a hobby.

So I said “no.” I refused to “get to know my filter.” And it felt good.

“No” creates margin. “No” creates Sabbath. “No” creates space for the things Jesus actually calls you to do.

We are exhausted not because God has overburdened us, but because we have said “yes” to things He never asked us to carry.

When you say “no” to the unnecessary, you say “yes” to: peace, presence, prayer, people and purpose.

You say “yes” to following Jesus instead of following expectations.

The cross itself is God’s great “no” to everything that destroys us—and His great “yes” to everything that gives life.

When you say “no” in the right places, you’re not being selfish. You’re being faithful. You’re choosing the narrow way. You’re choosing Christ.

So hear this clearly, boldly, and with pastoral authority:

You are hereby empowered to say “no.”  Not because you’re lazy. Not because you don’t care. But because your “yes” belongs to Jesus first.

And that, my friend, is the secret that might just set the church free.

Linda Lee Dalme
August 1, 1941 — May 21, 2026
Service: Thursday May 28 at 1 pm at Blanchard Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Richard Lee Strother
October 4, 1949 — May 9, 2026
Service: June 13, 2026 at 10 am at Blanchard Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Natchitoches Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to npjnatla@gmail.com

Natchitoches City Council will have a pre-council meeting on Tuesday, May 26 beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. to discuss non-agenda items. The City Council meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month and will be reserved to only items on the Agenda.  The public is invited to both the pre-council meetings and council meetings with the understanding that items not on the agenda will not be discussed at the scheduled council meetings, but the public is welcome to discuss any topic at the pre-council meetings.  The City Council Meetings are held at the Natchitoches City Council Chambers, located at 716 Second St. in Natchitoches.

PAID CONTENT

The Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park was filled with veterans, families and area residents May 25 as the community held its annual Memorial Day Program.

Jeremy Miller, a NSU Army ROTC alumni, former Army officer and combat veteran, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Johnnie Dunn gave the opening prayer after which the NCHS Army JROTC Color Guard posted the colors. Sara Puryear-Dunn sang the National Anthem. Alexis Broadway and Madison Johnson, two Girls’ State participants from NCHS and Lakeview High Schools, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Memorial Day address was delivered by Provencal native, NSU alumni, and retired USMC Colonel Sean D. Wester. 

Trish C.G. dedicated the new memorial bricks after which Bill Gordy and Janet Darfus named each of the area veterans who passed away this year after which Dr. John Dunn played Taps. The Cane River Stitchers then presented several area veterans with handmade quilts.

A moment of silence was observed after which Rev. Kris Paul closed the program with a prayer. The attendees were then invited to a reception at the VFW/American Legion Post. The ceremony concluded with the traditional singing of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”. It is in ceremonies like today’s, held in communities across our nation, in which we remember the price paid for our liberties. May the memory of the fallen from our community be a blessing.

The Louisiana Department of Health announced Friday that beginning May 26, state SNAP recipients will only be able to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for purchases made within Louisiana and in ZIP codes adjacent to the state’s border.

Department officials said the policy change aims to protect benefits from fraud and out-of-state use while ensuring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars support Louisiana grocers, farmers, businesses and local communities.

EBT cardholders who shop at Louisiana stores and through approved online retailers will not be affected. Residents who regularly shop just across the state line in Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas will experience little to no disruption, as many of those border ZIP codes are included under the policy’s approved designation. Out-of-state purchases attempted outside of the approved areas will be blocked.

SNAP recipients who are traveling and need temporary access to make purchases outside of Louisiana can request a short-term exemption online at lifeincheckebt.com, by calling 888-524-3578, or by visiting a local department SNAP office.

Any temporary out-of-state access will automatically expire at the beginning of the following month, returning the card to the default setting.

For more information and a full list of approved border-area ZIP codes, residents can visit ldh.la.gov/page/electronic-benefits-transfer-ebt.

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LSU fans are hoping (and with that NIL bankroll, paying) for better days ahead, that’s obvious.

The entertainment value is undeniable, with a star chamber of vibrant coaching personalities that has eyes and ears from coast to coast tuned in to the latest Tiger talk.

Lane Kiffin, and now Ed “BeBe” Orgeron. The Lane Train and Coach O. They’re in Baton Rouge because Brian Kelly fit LSU like that glove fit O.J., no matter how guilty he was.

Will Wade, who grins at mention of his “American Gangster” nickname, is building a basketball roster that the State Department is going to need to check. Three rings will not be enough for this circus. But we all enjoy the circus, and we leave happy.

Speaking of a coach who provides entertainment, there’s Kim Mulkey, who commands the spotlight 24-7-365, and amid any chaos, just wins. Big. Every winter.

She’s the stand alone shining star at this juncture, because the coach who has won two national championships in the past four seasons just had the most disappointing year in the history of LSU baseball. Nobody (reasonable, or sane) is calling for Jay Johnson’s head. Yet.

Red Clay Earthquake Alley, mostly south of Shreveport and north of Natchitoches, is rockin’, with well over a dozen rattlers since Thanksgiving. Tiger Nation can relate.

Stay calm. Come to 800 Front Street in the City of Lights, at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum, and relive some of LSU’s greatest days starting Thursday evening, with a free reception from 6-8 for the opening of an exceptional exhibit.

“Billy Cannon – They Called Him Legend” presents the unabridged life story of LSU’s first real modern-era (post World War II) golden boy, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner.

The display has had a 14-month run at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge and somehow, the Louisiana State Museum curatorial staff has brought about 75 percent of that expansive exhibit to Natchitoches. The Cannons – Billy’s parents, then his wife Dot – kept everything of any significance from his Istrouma High School days forward. Example: the telephone that fielded a phone call from coach Paul Dietzel offering young Billy a football scholarship at LSU.

There’s so, so much more, from every stage of Cannon’s 80 years: the early days, his LSU career including his pivotal role in the Tigers’ 1958 national championship, his 11-year pro career, family life, and yes, his tumble from grace — and redemption in his later years.

Today many of us hear his name and too few of us know most of his story. The fabled Halloween night run, counterbalanced by a stint in federal prison. Being shunned in his hometown upon his release, and channeling that isolation into a deeply impactful role as a dentist and counselor for inmates at Angola State Prison.

This exhibit tells it all. You may think you know Cannon’s ups and downs, but there’s much more substance and subtext shared in these showcases.

For today’s Tiger fans, it has perfect timing. Cannon’s story has a happy ending. There haven’t been many of those for the Purple and Gold in the signature sports in 2025-26.

Even if you’re not prone to wearing LSU gear, it’s undeniably fascinating and inspiring.

Admission to the Hall of Fame museum is never expensive — $6 is the top cost – but on a few occasions, like Thursday evening, it’s free. Looking for an uplifting outing? Come see Cannon’s exhibit, and the rest of the two-story, 27,000-square foot Hall.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Northwestern State fans will have a variety of opportunities to enjoy football at Turpin Stadium this fall with kickoff times ranging from Thursday night lights to early-afternoon Southland Conference matchups throughout the 2026 season.

The Demons begin the home campaign Thursday, Aug. 27 against Louisiana Christian with a 7 p.m. kickoff, marking the second straight season NSU has opened the year at home on a Thursday night.

Northwestern’s Southland Conference home opener against Southeastern is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start before the Demons shift to daytime kickoffs for the remainder of the home schedule.

After the calendar officially turns to fall, NSU’s final four home games of the season will all begin at or before 2 p.m.

The Oct. 17 matchup against McNeese is slated for a noon kickoff, allowing fans time to make their way from Turpin Stadium to the second day of the Top of the Boot Music Festival later that evening on campus.

Two-day passes for the festival, which features Lee Brice, Dylan Scott, Rodney Atkins and others, can be purchased at topofthebootmusicfest.com.

NSU’s annual Homecoming game against Nicholls on Oct. 24 will kick off at 2 p.m.

The Demons wrap up the home slate with a pair of November afternoon contests as UTRGV (Nov. 7) and HCU (Nov. 14) both visit Turpin stadium for 1 p.m. kickoffs.

Season ticket packages for all six home games are on sale now with options available for every Demon fan.

Each season ticket package also includes a parking pass, a $50 value, adding extra convenience for fans on game day.

For more information or to secure seats for the 2026 season, visit nsutickets.com or contact the NSU Athletics Ticket Office.

Jordan Dupuy, who coached the Northwestern State women’s basketball program for three-plus seasons, has rejoined the athletic department six years later as the Demons’Associate Athletic Director of External Relations, overseeing NSU’s corporate sponsorships and development, ticketing, marketing and communications.

“Adding Jordan Dupuy strengthens our administrative staff,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “Jordan brings a wealth of experience in college coaching, which will translate to this role. There are many similarities between this role and coaching, especially the parallels between it and recruiting. Jordan has sold his vision for Northwestern State before, and he will do so again just in a different realm. His ability to connect with people and show them what he envisions for Northwestern will resonate with our current and future corporate partners and donors.”

During his head coaching tenure in Natchitoches, Dupuy coached a pair of future professional players – Beatrice Attura and Shahd Abboud – who are still playing overseas. Attura was a first-team All-Louisiana and All-Southland Conference honoree in her lone season under Dupuy while also becoming the first Academic All-American in program history and the 15th in Northwestern athletic history. Attura also was named the Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Student-Athlete of the Year.

Dupuy came to Northwestern the first time following more than a decade with the Southern Miss women’s basketball programs where he finished his time as its associate head coach.

At Southern Miss, Dupuy recruited and coached 12 All-Conference USA selections, five all-freshman selections and four all-defensive team picks. He also brought two C-USA Newcomers of the Year and a Defensive Player of the Year to Hattiesburg.

Following his NSU coaching tenure, Dupuy returned to Mississippi for two years, coaching the Columbia High School boys basketball team and leading the Wildcats to consecutive playoff appearances, including a run to the state Sweet 16.

Dupuy returned to Natchitoches in 2022 when he became the head swimming coach at Natchitoches Central, leading the Chiefs to the state meet each season. He also was an assistant boys basketball coach for the Chiefs, helping them reach the state title game in 2024, the state semifinals a year later and the state quarterfinals this past March.

Dupuy is a two-time Southern Miss graduate, earning his bachelor’s degree in coaching and sport administration in 2002 and his master’s degree in sport administration in 2003.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street have announced that Natchitoches Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for 2026.

The accreditation recognizes communities that meet rigorous national standards for downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and economic development through the Main Street Approach.

Natchitoches Main Street was one of 19 Louisiana communities and among 838 programs nationwide to earn Accredited Main Street America status, the organization’s highest recognition level.

“Our historic downtowns are more than gathering places, they are engines of economic development and community pride,” Nungesser said in the announcement. “When Louisiana Main Street districts succeed, entire communities benefit.”

Louisiana Main Street officials said the statewide program has generated more than $1 billion in public and private investment. Additional statewide accomplishments include 17,587 net new jobs created, 4,108 net new businesses opened, more than $613 million invested in construction and rehabilitation projects, and more than 1.3 million volunteer hours contributed.

Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes praised the accredited communities for their commitment to preservation-based economic development and grassroots revitalization efforts.

Communities receiving Accredited status must demonstrate exceptional performance in areas including leadership, sustainable funding, strategy-driven programming, preservation efforts, and measurable community impact.

Main Street America, a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has worked for more than four decades to support revitalization efforts in historic downtown districts nationwide.

The Indianapolis 500, commonly called Indy 500, is a 500-mile automobile race which has become the largest single-day spectator sporting event in the world. Since its meager beginnings in 1909, people have flocked to the track in record numbers to watch the high-speed thrills. On May 30, 1941, George “Joie” Chitwood readied his cigar-shaped racecar, the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special, for the Indianapolis 500. During qualifying, Joie bounced around the track in his racecar and had a hard time keeping his foot on the accelerator. Out of necessity, Joie used a simple strap to fix the problem. The other drivers objected to the strap because they thought it was dangerous. The heads of the AAA Drivers Association agreed and refused to allow Joie to use the strap. They only relented when Joie promised to release the strap if he thought he was going to crash. Keep in mind that the cars traveled more than 100 miles per hour. Joie did not crash that day. He came in 14th place and won $620. (The first-place winner, Floyd Davis, received $29,200.) Joie believed that using the strap helped his performance in the 1941 Indy 500, but the other drivers remained skeptical.

For decades, the general public remained skeptical as well. Carmakers often adopt equipment designed for racing cars on their vehicles. In 1949, now defunct carmaker Nash Motors offered this strap on about 40,000 of their Airflyte and Ambassador models, but over 39,000 of them were removed by dealerships at the request of the owners. In 1955, Ford offered it as an option on their vehicles, but less than 2% of buyers chose the strap. In 1958, Saab became the first carmaker to include the strap as part of their standard equipment.

Although he had nothing to do with its invention, Joie Chitwood made history that day in May 1941 because he was the first driver to wear the strap in the Indy 500. Today, all race car drivers are required to wear one. It has also become a requirement in all automobiles. At that time, the common misperception was that people were safer in a car accident if they were thrown from the wreck rather than behind held inside the vehicle. They called the strap safety belts, but we know this strap as the seat belt.

Sources:

1. Robert Tate, “The 1949 Nash was an Entirely New Postwar Design,” MotorCities National Heritage Area, October 1, 2025, accessed May 17, 2026, https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2025/the-1949-nash-was-an-entirely-new-postwar-design.

2. “1941 Indianapolis 500 Race Results,” Indianapolis 500 Race Day Stats, accessed May 17, 2026, https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/historical-stats/race-stats/race-results/1941.

3. “Joie Chitwood (SR.),” National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, accessed May 17, 2026, https://web.archive.org/web/20190619150409/https://www.sprintcarhof.com/helper_pages/FileGet.aspx?id=186.

Linda Lee Dalme
August 1, 1941 — May 21, 2026
Service: Thursday May 28 at 1 pm at Blanchard Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Richard Lee Strother
October 4, 1949 — May 9, 2026
Service: June 13, 2026 at 10 am at Blanchard Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Natchitoches Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to npjnatla@gmail.com

The Natchitoches Police Department has arrested Tedrick White (B/M, 25 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) for a homicide that occurred earlier this month on Grace Avenue.

Tedrick White is charged with First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Criminal Conspiracy, Illegal use of Weapons and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.  He was placed in the LaSalle Corrections / Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Charles Cassels at (318) 471-0814.  Remember all information given shall remain confidential.  

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.  All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $5,000 for the arrest of an offender. 

Update: Natchitoches Police identify second suspect wanted for Homicide on Grace Avenue

The Natchitoches Police Department has identified Tedrick White (B/M, 25 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) as a suspect wanted for a homicide that occurred earlier this month on Grace Avenue.

Tedrick White is wanted for First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Criminal Conspiracy, Illegal use of Weapons and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.  All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $5,000 for the arrest of an offender. 

Update: Natchitoches Police arrest suspect for Homicide on Grace Avenue

The Natchitoches Police Department has arrested Jakerius Demars (B/M, 19 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) for a homicide that occurred earlier this month on Grace Avenue.

Jakerius Demars is charged with First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Criminal Conspiracy, Illegal use of Weapons, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Wearing Masks or Hoods when Prohibited.  He was placed in the LaSalle Corrections / Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Charles Cassels at (318) 471-0814.  Remember all information given shall remain confidential.  

Original Story: Natchitoches Police investigate Homicide on Grace Avenue

The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday afternoon on Grace Avenue.

On May 9, 2026, around 5:22 p.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to the area of Grace Avenue and Dixie Street in reference to gunshots in the area.  Upon officers’ arrival they located an overturned vehicle in the 1400 block of Grace Avenue.  Inside of the vehicle officers found the victim, Michael Leslie (W/M, 20 y.o.a. of Many) suffering from several gunshot wounds.  Officers immediately began to render aid while other first responders were arriving to the area.  Michael Leslie was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office as a result of his injuries.  

Detectives and Officers spoke with several witnesses that led to the collection of additional physical and digital evidence.  All of the evidence recovered will be sent to the crime lab for additional analysis.

This investigation is ongoing and the Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they become available.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Davanta Stevenson at (318) 357-3814.  Remember all information given shall remain confidential.  

While America pauses for a long weekend to pay tribute to fallen soldiers, people around the country will take a break from their regular work schedules.

That includes the Journal staff.

There will be no Memorial Day edition published Monday. We’ll be back Tuesday morning with the regular daily update, free and e-mailed to you for your morning coffee.

Thanks for reading your Journal. Join us this weekend honoring those brave military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

A recent traffic stop led to the arrest of a Natchitoches man on felony narcotics and weapon charges according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Thursday, May 14, 2026 around 5:00 p.m., NPSO Impact Units were patrolling on La. Hwy. 494 near Franklin Lane when they observed a Chrysler van traveling with no visible license plate.

Deputies stopped the van on Franklin Lane.

As deputies approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver, they reportedly detected a strong marijuana odor coming from inside the van. Deputies asked the driver for his driver’s license, but he stated he did not have one and initially failed to identify himself.

According to deputies, the driver then threw a small can containing suspected marijuana from the vehicle and drove away. A brief pursuit ended a short time later on Franklin Lane where the suspect, identified as 46-year-old Travis Paige of Natchitoches, was arrested without incident.

A probable cause search of the vehicle and surrounding area reportedly resulted in the seizure of a small amount of suspected marijuana, suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic Kel-Tec handgun.

Paige, who deputies say was recently released from jail and has a prior criminal history, was transported and booked into the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center charged with:

Resisting an Officer by Flight
Possession of CDS I Marijuana
Possession of CDS II Methamphetamine, 2nd or Subsequent Offense
Criminal Obstruction of Justice
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Felony
Illegal Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of Controlled Dangerous Substances
Violation of a Protective Order by Possession of a Firearm
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Traffic violations

The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis.

Deputies say when Paige was asked why he threw the weapon and narcotics from the vehicle, he allegedly stated he “was scared.”

The NPSO Criminal Impact Unit is composed of members from the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau, Drug Enforcement Unit, Hi-Tech Crime Bureau, and Patrol Operations Bureau.

If you observe suspicious activity in your community, contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-357-7851.

Notice is hereby given that the regular meeting of the Natchitoches City Council scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in observance of Memorial Day.

Northwestern State University rower Sophia Witman finished fourth in the country in the women’s 1x event at the American Collegiate Rowing Association Championship held this past weekend in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 

The fourth-place finish is the highest in women’s 1x in the history of the club sport at NSU.

To advance to the finals, Witman won her heat by over 50 seconds and was second in her semifinals by only .03 seconds.  

 Witman, a biology major from Natchitoches, earlier won a silver medal at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship in the women’s 2x. It was the eighth medal for NSU at the conference championships.  

She was selected as All-South Region Team, only the ninth male or female in NSU history to earn this honor.   As part of the All-South team, she is automatically nominated for All-American honors which will be announced later this month.  Witman has already been selected as a second-team Academic All-American. 

“Sophia is only a sophomore and is already one of the top four rowers in NSU history,” said head rowing coach Dr. Jason Stelly. “She had a great season from an individual standpoint. We look forward to seeing the great things she will accomplish representing NSU.”   

Witman placed fourth in the 2x at Lanier Sprints in Gainesville, Georgia earlier in this spring in the men’s category.  She was also a silver medalist in the women’s 2x at the Music City Regatta in the fall.  

Northwestern State’s track and field program is going to be well represented next week at the NCAA East First Round with nearly 30 athletes heading to regionals at the University of Kentucky, the second-most in program history.

On the men’s side, 15 Northwestern athletes ranked among the top 48 in the East Region: Will Achee, Charlie Bartholomew, Eddy Vu, Antoine Evans Jr., Keontae Gaines, Desmond Duncan, Kalen Beavers, Koen Beavers, Elijah Rowe, Kason Jones, Randy Kelly, Roy Morris, Tarajh Hudson, LaDarion Dudley and Dishaun Lamb.

There are 12 from NSU on the women’s side: Kahliyah Anderson, Margaret Conteh, Rushana Dwyer, Samari Finney, Eliska Zahradnickova, Shakera Kirk, Anisha Gibbons, Teodora Samac, Juvonna Cornette, Layden Jack, Ryah Dates and Shantangelo Williams.

Only LSU has more among programs in the state. UL-Lafayette is third with a total of 13.

The qualifying fields were set Thursday. Along with 48 qualifiers in individual events, the 24 fastest relay teams made the cut. The East Region includes all NCAA Division I programs east of the Mississippi River and those in states, except for Arkansas, bordering the west bank of the Mississippi.

The four-day meet begins Wednesday, with the men competing in preliminary heats and some field event finals, and racing finals and more field events on Friday. The women hit the track on Thursday and Saturday.

The top 12 finishers in each event in both the East and West regionals will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships June 10-13 at Eugene, Ore., contested at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.

Achee is coming off a 45.19 in the 400-meter dash at the conference meet, which puts him tied for 10th in the NCAA East First Round list. He is joined by Bartholomew, who ran a season-best 45.65, also at the conference meet. That places him 27th on the 400 on the NCAA East First Round list.

Those two are also a part of the 4×400 relay team that is making the trip to Kentucky, along with Kason Jones and Desmond Duncan.

Their season best run came at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays, clocking a 3:04.45, which is 19th on the NCAA East list.

Kalen Beavers is also going to regionals in two events — the 100 and the 4×100 relay.

In the 100, Beavers heads to Kentucky on the strength of a 10.20 set at the first outdoor meet this season, the Louisiana Classic.

He also is going as a member of the 4×100 relay, which clocked a meet record 39.22 at the conference championships. On the relay, he is joined by Vu, Gaines, Evans and alternate Koen Beavers.

Rowe is also an alternate on the relay and is already there in the men’s long jump, thanks to his personal best in the event at the conference meet, recording a jump of 24-9.75, which is tied for 45th in the NCAA East.

Back in the regionals in the long jump is Morris, who earned a second team All-American spot a season ago. He is 23rd in the NCAA East after he posted a personal best in the conference meet this season with a 25-4 to win the gold medal.

A pair of athletes are making their fourth appearance at regionals in Kelly and Hudson.

Kelly recorded a clearance of 7-0.5 at the home meet in March and Hudson’s ranked 33 in the men’s discus with a toss of 184-2, which came at the conference meet this past weekend.

Dishaun Lamb ran a school-record 13.80 in the 110-meter hurdles to earn a spot at regionals, as he set it at the conference meet this past Saturday.

Dudley goes to Kentucky in the shot put, where he threw a 58-4.5 in the outdoor opener in the Louisiana Classic.

On the women’s side, Dwyer and Conteh made it in the 400-meter dash, with Dwyer ranking 10th in the NCAA East with a time of 51.20, which came at the conference meet.

Conteh ranked 22nd in the NCAA East in the 400, clocking a 51.92, also set at the conference meet.

They are also on the 4×400 relay team, one that also includes Anderson and Finney, as well as Jack as the alternate.

In addition to the relay, Finney is also going in the long jump, which she earned with a 20-4.25 at the SLC meet.

Fresh off her school record in the 100-meter dash, Cornette ran 11.31 at the conference meet to earn her a spot, as she is ranked 37th in the NCAA East.

Three discus throwers have reached regionals, led by Zahradnickova, who tossed a 172-10 at the Bryan Clay Invitational.

Kirk posted her mark of 170-5 at the Texas A&M Alumni Muster earlier this month and Williams made her way in with a 167-8 at the Southland meet.

The women’s javelin also have multiple athletes going to Kentucky, led by Gibbons, who threw a 166-9 to place 21st in the NCAA East.

Samac, who is making her second straight appearance at regionals, ranks 35th in the NCAA East with a throw of 162-0, which she threw at the Alumni Muster.

Dates is going in the women’s shot put, punching her ticket at the conference meet with a bronze medal-toss of 50-11.