Winnfield product Desmond Duncan started the NSU4x400 relay team on the right track Friday night with a strong first lap, as the Demons broke the school record and earned a trip to nationals. (Photo courtesy Southland Conference)
LEXINGTON, Ky.—The 4×400 relay has always been the signature track event for Northwestern State, dating back decades.
The 2025 quartet added to the sparkling history at NSU Friday night at the NCAA East Region championships. The Demons set a school record with a time of 3:02.73 and punched their ticket to Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Desmond Duncan, Kason Jones, Charlie Bartholomew and Will Achee became the first NSU men’s 4×400 relay to reach nationals since 2003. They ran in the first of three eight-team heats as one of 24 East Region qualifiers, and their time wound up 11th, just among the top 12 that go on to the national meet.
Running anchor, Achee was in sixth place with about 100 yards remaining and blew past Charlotte and nearly caught South Florida in fourth place.
“I’m just happy for the guys,” associate head coach Adam Pennington said. “In this meet you have to be at your best and they were.
“As for the race itself it was stressful to watch and wait (through the next two heats). The atmosphere in that (first) heat was unreal. It was one of the fastest and most competitive races I’ve ever been a part of. Overall, I’m proud of the record, but I’m even more excited about the opportunity to compete against the best in the country and see what we can do at nationals. This is a great moment for the program.”
The Demons will go to Oregon seeded 17th in the 24-team 4×400 field. The top 16 finishers earn All-America honors at the national meet June 10-13.
In other events Friday night at the East Region meet involving NSU, the Demons’ 4×100 relay, which finished 17th with a time of 39.38, just shy of the season’s best of 39.22.
Tarajh Hudson nearly reached the national meet in the discus, as it took until the final flight to knock him out of the top 12. Hudson tossed a season-best 185-7 to finish 14th, by far his highest finish in his four trips to regionals.
In his three previous trips to the NCAA First Round, Hudson’s best finish was 24th and best toss was 175-5.
He was in the second flight among 48 qualifiersand led after the first two flights and was fourth after the third flight. But the fourth flight had the throwers with the top 12 tosses this season, and 10 of the 12 finished with longer throws than Hudson, whose career ends as one of the best discus throwers in NSU history.
Senior Randy Kelly nearly matched a personal best with a clearance of 6-11 in the high jump, finishing 15th and nearly making his first trip to nationals.
He was actually tied for 12th at 6-11, but others had fewer misses on the 6-11 bar.
A new Louisiana congressional map passed the state House overwhelmingly Wednesday and now moves to the Senate for concurrence ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
The map was drawn in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the state’s previous congressional districts were unconstitutionally drawn. The revised plan is drawing attention across Central and Northwest Louisiana, including Natchitoches Parish, as lawmakers finalize which congressional district will represent the region going forward.
Supporters say the map keeps communities of interest together, pointing to shared economic, educational, transportation, agricultural and cultural ties across the region. State Representative Mike Johnson noted the plan complies with legal requirements following the Supreme Court ruling.
The proposal now heads to the state Senate for final consideration before moving to the Governor for signature.
The Natchitoches Parish Journal will continue to monitor the map’s progress and its implications for Natchitoches Parish voters.
Gathering around Billy Cannon’s 1959 Heisman Trophy at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame museum Thursday night were his wife, Dot, (left to right, standing) daughter Gina McWilliams and her husband Jay, and daughters Bunnie Cannon and Dara Kelsoe. (Journal photo by KEVIN SHANNAHAN)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
The Billy Cannon exhibit that opened a year-long stay Thursday night in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street celebrates the storied career of LSU’s 1959 Heisman Trophy winning running back.
But that’s just one aspect of a comprehensive collection of items from the Cannon Family Trust tracking his 80 years, ending when he died in his sleep in 2018. “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend” showcases his sports highlights and also shares his fall from glory that landed him in prison. He gradually weathered the aftermath and ultimately regained his status as a sports icon while he became a profoundly positive influence, widely admired in his later years.
It was hard to tell who was more delighted among the museum visitors in Natchitoches Thursday evening, but it would be tough to top the smiles from his widow, Dot (who turns 88 next week), his three daughters (Gina McWilliams, Dara Kelsoe, and Bunnie Cannon) and Jay McWilliams, a son-in-law.
“He would be very thrilled that y’all are able to see this and learn from his story,” his youngest daughter, Bunnie, told those who got the first look at the exhibit that will remain in the Natchitoches museum for nearly a year. “It’s important that it stays up here for a while and people can see and know who he truly was.
“He loved the people here. Whenever he would come here, he would always stay for several hours and sign autographs and talk with people. He had a great respect for everybody here and was so proud to be in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame,” she said.
Thursday’s audience included retired Natchitoches dentist Dr. Jerry Ferguson, who was in dental school with Cannon (while he played pro football) at the University of Tennessee. Also among those attending: impending 2026 LSHOF inductee Mike McConathy, former state Sen. Louis Bernard, Northwestern State football coach Blaine McCorkle, an LSU center in the late 1990s, and former Demons coach Jay Thomas, who grew up in Baton Rouge.
It’s a memorabilia-packed extension of an even larger exhibit showcased for the past 14 months at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge, part of the Louisiana State Museum system. It provides a visual and auditory review of Cannon’s life with items from his days at Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge to his college and pro stardom – and of course, it includes a replay of his classic Halloween Night Run, a weaving fourth-quarter 89-yard punt return as he dodged seven defenders for the only touchdown in an Oct. 31, 1959 7-3 victory over No. 3-ranked Ole Miss in Tiger Stadium.
It also covers his impact during many years of service as the director of dentistry at Angola State Prison, beginning several years after he finished 30 months in a federal minimum security facility in Texarkana after pleading guilty to counterfeiting charges in 1983.
Shreveporter Teddy Allen, who is in the LSHOF as a sports journalist, became close to Dr. Cannon in Baton Rouge following that prison sentence, when Allen covered LSU for the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Cannon, said his daughter, “loved Teddy Allen.”
“Dr. Cannon was good at everything,” said Allen. “He went to dental school, for some time had a thriving practice. Obviously he won the Heisman. Got married to his high school sweetheart, was a wonderful husband for 62 years, had all these children (five) and grandkids.
“The only thing he wasn’t good at was counterfeiting. That was it, the only thing he didn’t master, and it’s good for us that he didn’t, that all of that worked out like it was supposed to.
“The Halloween run story is fascinating. He had a fabled life. But his best run was those last two decades of his life when he turned it around, accepted the love that people wanted to show him. He made them feel valued, and they made him feel back on top of the world.”
As Cannon restored his reputation, and joined LSU teammates for anniversary celebrations of the Tigers’ 1958 national championship, the mutual admiration blossomed.
At LSU’s 2003 homecoming game, he was recognized in an on-field ceremony between the first and second quarters. The crowd gave him an extended standing ovation and LSU players raised their helmets in salute, with LSU athletic director Skip Bertman remarking to a friend, “He’s still the icon, isn’t he?”
Cannon was forthright in his 2016 autobiography, “Billy Cannon, a Long, Long Run,” and people appreciated his frankness. In a book signing at the Hall of Fame museum, hundreds stood for hours in a line winding through the two-story building, out the front door and around the corner. It took so long because Cannon inscribed personal messages on each copy, engaged every fan in conversation and posed for photos during an eight-hour span.
“It didn’t matter where we were,” said Jay McWilliams, “somebody would recognize him, come over and shake his hand. Didn’t matter who it was, he would always take time to shake hands and visit. He appreciated people, had a heart of gold.”
Along with the exhibit, an upcoming Louisiana Public Broadcasting documentary spearheaded by former Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne will debut the week before LSU visits Ole Miss (Sept. 19) this fall, with hopes that it will be picked up by Netflix.
“He would absolutely love this,” said Bunnie Cannon. “He would want LPB to profit, because the support for public broadcasting is not what it used to be, and he was so Louisiana proud.”
“He was just a sweet, sweet man, as sweet a man as he was a ballplayer,” said Allen. “As a ballplayer, he was Herschel Walker 30 years before Herschel hit the field.
“This state was so blessed to have him, and his whole story. Somehow it was supposed to work out like it did,” said Allen. “He was as sorry as he could be for all that (trouble). It was incredible how he made amends for it.”
New St. Mary’s football coach Jacob Carruth with his wife, Taylor, and their son John. (Photo courtesy St. Mary’s School).
Jacob Carruth, a Shreveport native who has been head coach for the past five seasons at two Class A south Louisiana high schools, is the new head football coach at St. Mary’s.
The school announced his hiring Thursday in a Facebook post. He replaces Kedrin Seastrunk, who was not retained last month despite leading the Tigers to a pair of playoff appearances and a first-round playoff upset win last fall.
Carruth was head coach for the past three seasons at Catholic High of Pointe Coupee, where his teams posted a combined 26-9 record. Last fall Catholic reached the quarterfinals in the Select Division IV playoffs after winning a district championship in 2024.
He previously was head coach at North Central High School for two seasons, and has four additional years as an assistant coach, according to the SMS announcement.
He took over a struggling North Central program and after a winless first season, and snapped a 40-game losing streak with a 3-7 mark in the second year, including an overtime loss to district foe Catholic-Pointe Coupee. He was hired at Class 2A Avoyelles as head coach, but spent only the spring of 2023 there before the Catholic job opened and he was hired there. He was also head track coach for the Hornets.
Carruth, 29, graduated from Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport, attended Louisiana Tech and graduated from LSU Shreveport.
“My family is excited to begin this new chapter of our lives,” Carruth said in the announcement. “God opened the door for us to join the St. Mary’s family at the perfect time. We can’t wait to meet the Tiger community and get to work.”
The school announced a parents and players meeting with the new coach on Monday evening at 6 in the SMS gym.
Head coach Jenny Fuller revitalized the NSU softball program in two seasons, but she and husband Brad Fuller are departing for jobs at Baylor in their hometown of Waco, Texas. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
UPDATED as of 11 a.m. Friday with confirmation from Baylor, NSU
After two seasons rebuilding the Northwestern State softball program, head coach Jenny Fuller and her husband/associate head coach Brad Fuller are leaving, headed home to Waco, Texas, to accept assistant coaching jobs at her alma mater, Baylor.
No official announcements were made Thursday, but both institutions confirmed the transition Friday morning with social media posts. The Fullers are joining the Baylor staff under veteran head coach Glenn Moore, who got his coaching staff at Northwestern after playing football for the Demons’ 1988 Southland Conference championship team.
Moore, who recorded his 1,000th career win in 26 seasons at Baylor this spring, wrapped up this year in Waco by leading the Bears into the NCAA Tournament for the 18th time. Baylor has reached three Women’s College World Series under his leadership.
He had openings on his coaching staff after a couple of exits, including the retirement of longtime pitching coach Britni Sneed Newman, who starred for Moore while he was coach at LSU. Newman is a 2024 inductee in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Fuller played for Moore in 2008-09 and was recommended for the NSU job by her former coach.
Brad Fuller, a Waco native, has teamed up with his wife on four different college coaching staffs, at NSU, Pittsburg State, Northern State and Cardinal Stritch. He has run the teams’ offenses while she has steered the pitching staff.
After taking over the Northwestern program at the end of the summer in 2024, the Fullers kept the Lady Demons competitive in the 2025 season while recruiting players who combined with returners to return the program to significant success this season.
They led NSU to a 13-14 Southland Conference record including series wins over SLC Tournament finalists McNeese and Lamar, and a 24-29 overall mark. It was a 17-win improvement over 2025, the second-best climb nationally by any NCAA Division I softball program this spring.
NSU’s Rushana Dwyer (pictured, left) clocked a school-record 51.03 in the 400-meter dash at the NCAA East Regional Championships on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Southland Conference)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — In 2026, Rushana Dwyer has put her fingerprints all over the Northwestern State record books in the 400-meter dash.
She continued that Thursday night at the NCAA East Regional Championships by achieving one mark she hadn’t yet achieved — breaking the school record in the outdoor season.
Dwyer, a senior from St. Eliizabeth, Jamaica, accomplished that feat in resounding fashion with a time of 51.03, beating Maygan Shaw’s year-old record of 51.19, to breeze into Saturday’s regional finals with a chance to make it to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in two weeks.
Her time was sixth among the 48-woman field as 24 runners advanced.
“Honestly, it feels great, especially because the race felt smooth and controlled,” Dwyer said. “Running 51.03 and breaking the school record means a lot to me but I still feel like I have more in me. It gives me a lot of confidence knowing I can run that time and still feel comfortable. I’m excited for what’s next and I’m ready to keep proving myself on the national level.”
After nearly breaking the mark at the Southland Conference Championships two weekends ago, she placed second in her heat Thursday to earn an automatic spot in Saturday’s races, as the top three from all six heats advanced, as well as the next top six times.
“It was a great strategic race,” associate head coach Adam Pennington said. “She could have ran faster, but the plan was to just be top 2, save as much energy as possible for the finals, and get a good lane. And she did all of that.
“That might be the easiest run I’ve seen from her this year. It should be a fast and exciting final.”
The top 12 runners Saturday move on to the national semifinals at Eugene, Ore., in two weeks.
In the same heat, Margaret Conteh placed 31st with a time of 52.56.
Coming off her gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the SLC Championships, Juvonna Cornette ran an 11.57 in the event to finish 40th.
Fresh off winning the gold at the conference meet, Anisha Gibbons started the day for NSU with a toss of 150-11 in the javelin, placing 31st in the event. Teammate Teodora Samac came in 37th with a throw of 146-1.
Ryah Dates placed 43rd in her first appearance at regionals in the shot put with a throw of 46-10.
Samari Finney was 39th with a long jump of 19-2.
Tarajh Hudson begins the final day of competition for the men today with the discus at noon, followed by Randy Kelly in the high jump at 2 p.m. The relays round out the men’s entries with the 4×100 at 4 p.m. and 4×400 at 7:45 p.m.
Join Marvin as he discusses the last election, teacher pay and common sense.
Brought to you by Lance Lopez with Farm Bureau, the Harrington Law Firm, the Sharpco Hotel Group, the Mariner’s Restaurant and Local Businessman Pat Johnson;
WHAT: The Natchitoches Parish Voters and Civic League Foundation, Inc. will host a critical reorganization meeting to discuss the future of the league and provide updates on local elections.
WHEN: Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 6 p.m..
WHERE: Winnfield Funeral Home, 318 North Street, Natchitoches
WHO: All concerned citizens, voters, and community members are encouraged to attend.
WHY: This gathering serves as a key session to reorganize the league’s foundation and ensure community participation in upcoming election cycles. Participation is vital for residents interested in shaping the civic future of Natchitoches.
The Louisiana Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved amended legislation authorizing the transfer of certain state-owned property in Natchitoches Parish after adopting floor amendments removing references to a named private party from the bill.
House Bill 1056, authored by Representative Rodney Young, provides for the transfer of certain state property in the parish while reserving mineral rights and establishing terms and conditions for the sale.
During Senate floor debate Tuesday, SenatorJay Luneau introduced amendments removing “Brian Briggs” from the legislation and replacing language naming specific individuals with broader wording referring to “parties.” The amendments also added language requiring any sale conducted under the act to comply with provisions of Louisiana law governing state property sales under R.S. 41:134 or 140(D).
Following adoption of the amendments, Senator Alan Seabaugh moved final passage of the bill.
The Senate approved the amended measure by a vote of 36-0, with three senators absent.
The bill was then returned to the House for concurrence in the Senate amendments.
ORIGINAL, April 2026 A proposed state land transfer (Attached) in Natchitoches Parish has drawn public interest as House Bill 1056 moves through the 2026 Regular Session. The legislation, authored by Rep. Young, would authorize the state to transfer approximately 1.16 acres of property to Brian Briggs, a current employee of the City of Natchitoches.
The property, located in Sections 40 and 43 of Township 9 North, Range 7 West, was previously under the jurisdiction of the local school board before being returned to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). It is currently inventoried by the Louisiana State Land Office as Site Code / Business Entity No. 7-35-017.
As the bill progresses, several key points of the transaction address common public inquiries:
Legal Authorization and Employment Status
While Briggs currently serves as a city employee, HB 1056 provides specific legal authorization for this transfer. The bill includes a “notwithstanding” clause, which allows the legislature to sanction this specific conveyance to a named individual regardless of general statutory restrictions that might otherwise apply.
Constitutional Compliance vs. “Legislative Gift”
Public questions regarding whether this constitutes a “gift” are addressed in the bill’s requirements for “appropriate consideration”. Under Article VII, Section 14(A) of the Louisiana Constitution, the state is generally prohibited from donating property. Consequently, Section 2 of the bill mandates that the transfer be made in exchange for value sufficient to meet these constitutional standards.
Property History and Maintenance
The site includes a former pre-school building on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Before his current employment with the city, Briggs was active in cleaning and securing the improvements on the land after the structure had been condemned by the Natchitoches City Council in 2025.
Terms of the Transfer
Mineral Rights: The State of Louisiana will reserve all mineral rights to the property; only the surface and improvements are subject to the transfer.
Approval Process: The transfer requires the joint authorization of the president of BESE and the commissioner of administration.
Effective Date: If passed, the act becomes effective immediately upon the governor’s signature or after the constitutional window for gubernatorial action expires.
Public Inquiry and Accountability
Local residents have raised specific questions regarding the future of the site and the transparency of the transaction:
What are the long-term plans for the building? Having previously been owned by the school board and returned to BESE, the public is seeking clarity on how the site will be utilized following the transfer.
How will the purchase price be determined? While HB 1056 does not list a specific dollar amount, it requires the price to follow state law. Citizens are looking for confirmation on the Fair Market Value to be paid by Mr. Briggs to ensure the state is not illegally donating public assets.
In the text of HB 1056, the phrase “notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary” acts as a legal “trump card”.
Overriding General Laws: Usually, there are general state laws (statutes) that dictate how state property must be sold—often requiring public auctions, competitive bidding, or prohibiting sales to certain public officials or employees to avoid conflicts of interest.
Specific Authorization: By using this clause, the legislature establishes a clear legal framework that allows this particular transaction to proceed, ensuring that the authorized transfer of the property takes precedence over general administrative procedures that might otherwise delay or complicate the process..
For the second consecutive season, Northwestern’s Roy Morris earned a trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, finishing sixth at the NCAA East regional. (NSU file photo by CHRIS REICH)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Roy Morris liked Oregon so much as a freshman in 2025, he rose to the occasion to earn another trip this time around.
Morris posted a personal record of 25-7 1/4 in the long jump to make his second appearance in nationals in as many seasons on the strength of a sixth-place finish Wednesday night at the NCAA East Regional Championships on the campus of the University of Kentucky.
“It feels great to make it back,” Morris said. “I am very excited to get this chance again. I came into this meet focused on doing my best and making it to nationals again. To PR again this meet just pushes me to keep working. I always pray and ask God and my Pop Pop to help me make it and finish strong. I focus only on myself and what I need to do.”
Despite his previous best leap of 25-4 being ranked No. 23 among 48 qualifiers in the NCAA East, he will be among 24 jumpers– 12 from the East, and 12 more from the West Region – to advance to Oregon.
Morris once again performed his best when it was needed, especially against a strong group of competitors.
Last season at the East regional, Morris posted a jump of 24-8 ¼ on a rainy day to finish ninth and earn his trip to nationals.
“We’ve heard comments about how we were lucky and the weather helped him get in last year,” assistant coach Alex Wills said. “So, we definitely had some motivation going in this year.
“But really, Roy is just a gamer and knows how to keep a level head when it’s go time. For him to come out and jump over 25 feet on all three attempts was amazing to see. Now it’s time to get back to work and see what we can do in Eugene.”
It is his second personal best in as many meets, as he PR’d to take the gold at the Southland Championships.
He aims to become a two-time All-American as a freshman and sophomore in an outdoor open event for the first time by a Northwestern competitor since Cody Fillinich in the javelin back in 2005 and 2006.
Also in the long jump, Elijah Rowe recorded a jump of 24-1.5 to finish 29th.
In the shot put, La’Darion Dudley finished 41st with a toss of 55-9.25.
On the track, Will Achee narrowly missed out on advancing in the 400-meter dash with a 26th-place finish, running a 45.92. The top 24 in running events moved on to Friday night regional finals/national quarterfinals.
Teammate Charlie Bartholomew finished closely behind with a 46.18 to come in 32nd.
Kalen Beavers came in 43rd in the 100-meter dash, running a 10.51. Dishaun Lamb ran a 14.34 in the 110-meter hurdles, also finishing 43rd.
Next up is the women’s turn, as the Lady Demons start their regionals Thursday. The Demons’ 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams run Friday.
That’s certainly true for sports fans and especially LSU fans this evening in Natchitoches, at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.
An extraordinary exhibit showcasing an expansive array of material from the life of one of Louisiana’s best known and most accomplished sports figures has its opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. Attire is casual, with light finger food and refreshments available.
“Billy Cannon – They Called Him Legend” shares the life story of LSU’s first football superstar, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner.
The display debuted with a 14-month run at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge. The Louisiana State Museum curatorial staff has brought nearly all 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 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.
Cannon is remembered for his fabled 1959 Halloween night punt return that beat No. 1-ranked Ole Miss, counterbalanced by a brief in federal prison in the early 1980s for his involvement in a counterfeiting scheme.
What is less known is how Cannon, a dentist who had a successful practice in Baton Rouge, shunned in his hometown upon his release. He eventually channeled that isolation into a deeply impactful role as a dentist and counselor for inmates at Angola State Prison.
Reluctant to accept acclaim for his football accomplishments lest it overshadow the team’s glory, Cannon shied away from the spotlight even before his arrest and guilty plea. But as he entered his later years, friends helped him ease into the role of an LSU football statesman who represented the most celebrated days of the program – just as Nick Saban arrived to fuel the rise of the Tigers into one of the nation’s premier teams.
Cannon engaged fans and reunited with LSU in this century, to mutual delight.
All of the ups and downs of his life are reflected in the exhibit in Natchitoches.
Following this evening’s free reception, the exhibit will be in Natchitoches until next April along with over 23,000 square feet of permanent exhibits in the world-renowned two-story structure.
The most expensive ticket to the museum at 800 Front Street (at the traffic circle) is just $6, with discounts for senior citizens, military and students. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday weekly from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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The biggest, most star-studded and fun-filled party of every summer for miles around is coming your way in a month.
Three days of festivities are approaching beginning Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27 for the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.
The LSHOF’s Class of 2026 will be enshrined Saturday night, June 27 at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 67th Induction Celebration.
The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, June 25, with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street.
The Friday, June 26 schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. The 2026 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event.
The slate on Saturday, June 27 kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.
At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.
Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.
The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.
The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.
The Class of ‘26 is headlined by a star-studded group: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 inductee Sylvia Fowles, NFL stars Joe Horn, Todd McClure and Pat Williams, Major League Baseball All-Star Jonathan Lucroy and legendary basketball coaches John Brady, Mike McConathy and Dewain Strother.
Alexandria native and LSU baseball hero Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, earning enshrinement into the LSHOF. His walk-off home run won the 1996 College World Series for LSU and resulted in the Bolton High School product becoming a lifelong spokesman for college baseball, the CWS and LSU.
LSU graduate and New Orleans native Gil LeBreton and multi-faceted Shreveporter John James Marshall are going into the Hall as the 2026 winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. Former Tioga girls basketball coach and nationally-acclaimed high school sports administrator Kathy Holloway is being inducted as the recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.
The Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors.
For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.
Northwestern hurdler Dishaun Lamb (center) is coming off a school record in the 110-meter hurdles, which earned him a spot at the NCAA East Region Championships beginning today at the University of Kentucky. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fifteen Northwestern State male athletes, including a pair of Southland Conference champions and two more individual school record breakers, begin competition today at the NCAA Track and Field East Region Championships at the University of Kentucky.
The 48 top marks in each individual event, and the top 24 in relays, qualified for the regional. The top 12 finishers in each event move on to the NCAA Outdoor Championships June 10-13 at Oregon.
The 15 NSU men are joined by 18 Lady Demons, giving Northwestern an entry list topped only by LSU among state schools. Louisiana Tech is third with 15 total qualifiers among the men and women combined.
Men’s competition is today and Friday. Women hit the track Thursday and Saturday. All four days are being streamed on ESPN+.
“A traveling party of 33 people going to regionals is amazing,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “The athletes are super talented, and the coaches are really talented and put the athletes in position to be successful and helped them qualify.”
Five Demons — Elijah Rowe, Keontae Gaines, Randy Kelly, Roy Morris and Tarajh Hudson — have all made the regionals while in an NSU uniform before, the latter three earned a spot previously in open events.
Will Achee, Charlie Bartholomew, Eddy Vu, Antoine Evans Jr., Desmond Duncan, Kalen Beavers, Koen Beavers, Kason Jones, LaDarion Dudley and Dishaun Lamb are all making their debuts at regionals while with NSU.
Both the field and running events for the Demons begin at 5 p.m. today with Lamb in the 110-meter hurdles and in the long jump with Morris and Rowe.
Hudson competes in the discus at noon Friday, which begins the events on day two for the men. The running events that day start at 4 p.m. with the 4×100 relay.
Morris starts the field events for NSU in the long jump Wednesday, as the sophomore aims for his second All-American honor by reaching the national meet.
He is coming off a tremendous Southland Conference Championship performance, recording a jump of personal-best 25-4 on his final jump of the meet to win the gold medal by half an inch.
“When you’re an All-American as a freshman, of course you want to make it every year, which is a very tough task,” Heimerman said. “To make it to nationals is super tough, so Roy puts a lot of pressure on himself to be an All-American again.
“He is super talented and can jump much further. He just has to allow himself to do it and stay relaxed enough to do it. There’s a fine line with every athlete — having the capability to do it and allowing yourself to do it. That is where he’s at right now. He just has to relax, and he just has to do the things that he needs to do to allow himself to be an eight-meter jumper because he is an eight-meter jumper.”
Morris ranks 23rd in the region with his 25-4 best. He was also not among the top 12 at last year’s East Regional beginning the meet, but finished there to get the opportunity to make All-America at the national championship.
Five other NSU male entries are in the top 30 regionally, led by sophomore Will Achee, who is 10th in the 400 meter dash with a 45.19 best time. Charlie Bartholomew is 27th at 45.62.
They are two of the four Demons combining to rank 19th in the 4×400 relay with a 3:04.45 time.
The NSU 4×100 relay is 26th at 39.22. High jumper Randy Kelly, who has cleared 7-0 ½, ranks 22nd regionally.
Rowe earned his spot at regionals with a personal best jump of 24-9.75 at the conference championships to finish with the bronze. It is the first of two events for Rowe, who is also a part of the 4×100 relay team.
Lamb also starts at 5 p.m. on day one in the 110-meter hurdles. He is coming off a program record run of 13.80, set at the conference meet.
“When I hear my name being a school record holder here, it means that I was able to do something since I’ve been here,” Lamb said. “I am so glad to be a part of this team and to get a record, I don’t know how to describe the feeling, but I am really happy.
“I am glad to get the opportunity to go to Kentucky. This is my first time going to regionals, so I am going to go there and enjoy it and make the most of it.”
Next up today is La’Darion Dudley in the men’s shot put at 5:30 p.m. He threw 58-4 1/2 in the outdoor opener in the Louisiana Classic to punch his ticket to Lexington.
Kalen Beavers is running in the 100-meter dash, on the strength of a 10.20 time at the Louisiana Classic.
The 400-meter dash starts at 6:25, as two Demons take part in it: Achee and Bartholomew.
The top 24 finishers in the sprints today move on to regional finals Friday.
Both relays, the high jump and discus take place on Friday.
First up is Hudson and the discus at noon. Hudson is four-year regional qualifier at regionals in the event.
The men’s track events Friday begin at 4 p.m. with the 4×100 relay.
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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.
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