LAKE CHARLES — Personal bests were set by Lalaina Wood and John Klein, providing they are just about ready for the Oct. 31 Southland Conference Championships, highlighting Northwestern State’s cross country teams at the McNeese State Cowboy Stampede on Saturday morning.

The pairing has led their respective teams throughout the season, and it continued, as Wood beat her previous best by more than a minute.

“Overall, today was a great day,” head coach Payten Vidourek said. “The team scores maybe weren’t there, but the I was really with some of the individual performances.”

Wood, a  junior from Oak Ridge, ran a 19:24.1 in the 5K to finish in 28th place out of 53 finishers, topping her previous best of 20:52.9, set earlier this season at the UT-Tyler Cross Country Opener.

“Having a giant one-minute PR is phenomenal,” Vidourek said. “I think that shows recently that she’s been up in her mileage just a little bit and I think it’s really paid off for her. I’m really proud and really looking forward to seeing what she can do at Mississippi College and conference.”

She wasn’t the only one who set a personal best, as Klein continued his strong season with a personal best in his 4-mile race on the men’s side.

Klein, a fifth-year senior, clocked a 20:18.7, which is a 4-mile best, which he set previously at the McNeese Cowboy Stampede in 2023, where he ran a 21:27.4.

While he was not able to crack the top 10, he was not too far outside, placing 12th out of 41.

Like he has throughout the season, freshman Andrew Kent has come in behind Klein among Demon runners, as he ran a 21:33.0 in the first 4-mile race of his career to place 28th.

Owen Rue ran a 22:24.6 to finish 34th, Mason Bayne (23:06.8) placed 38th and Selton Sanders (23:51.3) came in 39th.

“John finished well in placing 12th,” Vidourek said. “I think today was another one of those races where it could’ve been better for him, but he still ended up running a very respectable time and placing high.

“In the entire men’s side as a whole, I think the comfortability showed, especially for the younger group. Just being familiar with a course can help out a bunch. It’s a flat course and it’s familiar competition. We really showed maturity in terms of racing and I’m really happy with that. The same thing can be said for the women. I think Lalaina having a lot of familiarity with the course really showed today.”

On the women’s side, Gracie Evers finished second for NSU, placing 49th overall, running a 24:19.7.

The Lady Demons were rounded out by Thea Ring (25:44.3) in 50th, Cherie Neal (28:02.9) in 51st, Teodora Samac (31:27.1) in 52nd and Mikayla Mondello (31:27.2) in 53rd.

As a team, the men finished fourth with a team score of 117, while the women placed finished fifth with 144 points.

NSU next runs at the Watson Cross Country Classic in Mississippi on Oct. 17, then hosts the SLC Championships on Halloween.

HOUSTON — Despite more than doubling up Houston Christian in shot attempts, the Northwestern State soccer team could not overcome a second half goal from HCU in a 1-0 defeat Sunday afternoon at Sorrels Field.

NSU (6-3-3, 1-1-1) saw its three-game unbeaten streak come to an end, as HCU (6-5-1, 1-1-1) scored off a corner kick in the 50th minute for the only scoring.

“I thought we kind of struggled in the game and really didn’t do well in terms of what we were expecting to execute,” head coach Ian Brophy said. “I think obviously the name of the game is getting shots on goal and some may have a chance of going in. We had 17 shots and only three on goal and if you do that, you’re just not going to win games.”

HCU found the back of the net off a corner when a header from Jasmine Diaz squirted through the defense and into the goal in the 50^th minute, early after halftime.

The Demons attempted 17 shots, compared to the Huskies seven, but only three were on frame and NSU could not find the equalizer late.

“What it comes down to is a focus on the importance on the details of getting the little things right,” Brophy said regarding putting more shots on frame. “When we do shoot, just staying over your body. It’s the attention the detail of the little things that we need to get back to and that that’s going to lead us back to winning games. But if we think it’s just going to happen for us just because we’re walking out on a soccer pitch, it’s just not.”

NSU heads back home for a pair of conference games, starting Thursday, as it welcomes Southeastern Louisiana to the Demon Soccer Complex before hosting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Oct. 9.

Louie’s Pizza, a Sabine Parish, locally-owned mobile pizza trailer known for handcrafted New York inspired pizzas and community-driven events, is excited to announce one of its first public pizza days in Natchitoches.

Louie’s has a long history of serving the community through its “Slice of Thanks” free pizza events honoring military veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders. Most recently, Louie’s partnered with the Women’s Resource Center at Northwestern State University for the “Slice to Meet You” event, bringing students and community members together over fresh free pizza slices to welcome incoming first-year students.

“We’ve loved serving Natchitoches through our special free pizza events, but this time we’re excited to finally bring our pizza trailer back here so the community can enjoy buying our handcrafted pizzas, slices, and extras for the first time in a very long time,” said Michele Smith. Co-owner.

Louie’s Pizza will be parking at Posey’s Sports in Natchitoches on Friday, Sept. 26. The window opens at 10:30 a.m. and will stay open until sold out. Walk-up service will be available with the full menu of pizzas, slices, and extras.

For updates and preorders, visit louiespizzala.com or follow Louie’s Pizza on Facebook and Instagram @LouiesPizzaLA.

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On my holiest and most righteous days I love to start the morning with a quick walk in the neighborhood accompanied by one of the many podcasts that I subscribe to. Most of my podcast subscriptions are of the Biblical persuasion. I need the early morning time with the Lord so we can have conversations about my day and I can remind him how much I need him on a daily basis. As if he wasn’t aware, I like to remind him I am hopeless without him.

On this particular day I was listening to a Podcast by Steven Furtick with Elevation Church and the sermon was called, “The God of Pieces”. It was referenced how God deals with us piece by piece and the more he deals with us, the more peace we will have. The theme throughout the podcast centered around the word “pieces”. While I was deeply enthralled by the teaching and sincerely appreciating the wisdom I was gathering, I suddenly felt something jump on me from behind and possibly lick my arm. All I know is that it was heavy and wet or sweaty.

While I do love all of my neighbors I truly never have been licked or pounced on by an adult in my neighborhood. It instantly sent fear through my body, so I quickly turned around to see who was trying to get me. As I started to turn and look, I noticed a Pit Bull dog prancing beside me as if we were long lost friends. My eyes did a double take. While I don’t have a true fear of dogs, I do have a security alert that naturally goes off when I see an unattended Pit Bull. I could not get over the irony of my Podcast being named “The God of Pieces” while I was being ambushed by this furry doggie. I gently asked the Lord, if I was about to end up in pieces. Trying to keep my fear at bay, I remembered that dogs can smell fear. I kept walking and trying to act like nothing was wrong, he walked beside me, he truly appeared to be smiling every time I glanced in his direction.

At this point I ascertained that he was possibly a friendly Pit, so I asked him if he knew Jesus. Yes, I was praying under my breath that I wouldn’t end up in pieces and singing a praise and worship song while we were walking. He never growled when I mentioned the name of Jesus so I assumed he was a spirit filled Pit. Once I was convinced he was going to let me live I began to take photos of him to post on all social media platforms because I knew he was someone’s baby. I kept checking my phone to see if anyone was going to claim him but it was early in the morning and no bites. No pun intended.

Somewhere along the way he decided to go all the way home with me. As soon as we reached my porch I intended on sitting with him until he was claimed. Our peaceful porch sitting was abruptly cut short when my outside cat, Bella, decided she was not so convinced that he was a spirit filled Pit Bull. She went in for the kill.

It all happened in a furry flash. Bella pounced, jumped and hissed so loud that I started to run too. I have never seen her in fight mode. My walking buddy, the spirit-filled Pit Bull, became so scared that he left screaming and wailing. I don’t think he was actually injured, but like me, with all of that racket from the cat, he didn’t want to hang around and find out.

With all of the chaos I lost track of my phone but when I paused to check it, I had no less than ten messages advising who the owner was and how to reach him. As soon as I looked up, the owner was in my driveway. I covered the full story of all that happened.

Champ (I learned his name later) and I were praising the Lord, singing and listening to the preacher when all of the sudden this evil cat (I may not have mentioned it was my cat) came out of nowhere and chased poor Champ into the unknown. We spoke a little while longer then he set off to find his precious pup who was assaulted by the feline.

When the owner left to look for his dog all I could think was…this is exactly how Jesus pursues us. Champ was up to no good, he left the safety of his happy and peaceful home to wonder the streets and explore. Knowing he belonged in a gated yard. The owner knew that he into mischief, loved him anyway, knew that he was possibly injured but set out to find him and bring him home. I would venture to say that the owner knew that Champ would wonder again but he pursued him anyway.

John 15 teaches us about the parable of the lost sheep. He will seek out the lost sheep leaving ninety nine behind. When he finds the lost sheep, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and carries him back home where he belongs. Then he asks the neighbors to rejoice with him that he has found his lost sheep.

I am so grateful that Champ made it back home safe and eternally grateful that God didn’t let me go to pieces that day.

Reba Phelps jreba.phelps@gmail.com

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The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN) thanked the homeowners of eight iconic Natchitoches homes with a reception at the Murphy Trading House on Williams Ave. Thursday, September 25. The homes will be the hosts in this year’s Fall Tour of Homes.  Friday, October 10 from 5:00-8:00 pm will feature the Candlelight Tour, a walkable tour of four homes in the Historic District. Saturday October 11 will be the Town Tour from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm featuring 3 historic Natchitoches homes. The iconic Melrose Plantation swill also be open for its Melrose on the Cane tours.

The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches has been a stalwart of the local historic preservation scene for over 80 years. The homes on this year’s tour represent a piece of our area’s architectural and cultural history and have been lovingly preserved by their owners.

The Northwestern State  volleyball team lost 3-0 (25-12, 25-17 and 25-16) to the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals in the Southland Conference opener for both teams Thursday night at Prather Coliseum.

Northwestern will be back in action Saturday at 1 p.m. at home against the Houston Christian Huskies as conference play continues.

The Demons (1-14) fell behind early, 7-2, before Makenna Tryon slammed home a kill to stop the Cardinals’ momentum. But UIW sprinted from there as they rolled to a first set win finishing with 11 kills to three for NSU.

The Cardinals (4-8) continued to control the match in set two as they got out to a 19-11 lead and cruised to the set win.

In set three, the Demons showed some fight as they trailed 15-13 following another kill by Tryon. But UIW scored seven of the next 10 points to take a 22-16 as they went on for the straight set win.

“Our hitting percentage simply isn’t good enough,” said new Demons head coach Ben Kaszeta. “We have to know when it’s the right time to swing and when to hold off.”

Despite the hitting percentage struggles (0.02), Kaszeta liked the fight from his team in the final set.

“We’re still battling,” said Kaszeta. “It’s either a win or a learning experience and we are doing some of the little things to grow. But we have to start showing some maturity and put a positive mindsight when we make mistakes instead of always dwelling on it. We have to learn how to grow.”

NSU was led by Tryon and Deja Benjamin with five kills each. Reagan Hamm added 15 assists while Tryon had 12 digs to 10 for Emmarie McFarland.

While the Northwestern State soccer program celebrated Senior Day, it was a junior who stole the show during its dominant 7-0 victory against Prairie View A&M on Thursday evening at the Demon Soccer Complex.

After scoring two goals in a game on four occasions, Emily Senatore found the back of the net three times for her first collegiate hat trick and first for NSU (6-2-3) in the Ian Brophy era.

It is the first hat trick for the Demons since Olivia Draguicevich in 2022 against Southeastern Louisiana, which also happened on Senior Day.

“It felt amazing to get the hat trick,” Senatore said. “I set a goal for myself this season to get a hat trick at some point. I didn’t tell anyone about it because it was my own personal goal, and it feels so good to finally get one.”

The three goals bring her career total to 19 for the native of Oxford, Conn., as she is closing in on the top 10 in program history, sitting just two shy of 2025 N-Club Hall of Fame inductee Heather Penico (21).

Paige Baumgartner, one of five seniors honored following the win, celebrated in style with her fourth goal of the season.

Riley Stern recorded her first goal of the season, while Ravina Sandhu and Gabriela Page each found the back of the net for the first time in their collegiate careers to round out the scoring.

“I am really happy with the performance and the way we played,” Brophy said. “We dominated possession and dominated the chances. I am really happy with the number of shots we had and how we controlled the pace of the game.

“To get a win for the seniors was the priority for today and I am glad that we got it done.”

NSU attempted 30 shots, the most shot attempts since recording 31 shot attempts in the victory at Nicholls in 2019.

The Demons jump back into Southland Conference play Sunday when they travel to Houston Christian before coming back home for two, against Southeastern Louisiana (Oct. 2) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Oct. 9).

By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports

The St. Mary’s Tigers come home Friday night hoping to turn frustration into celebration, but it’s not going to be easy as it was last year.

St. Mary’s plays host to Many Friday night at 7 in Turpin Stadium. Last year, SMHS stunned a struggling Many team on the road, scoring a 24-point victory over the Class 2A Sabine Parish Tigers, who are much better this season under new head coach Tyler Hassel, a former Natchitoches Central assistant.

St. Mary’s hopes to rebound from last week’s heartbreaking 7-6 loss at Class 2A Holy Savior Menard in the annual Bishop’s Bowl.

Head coach Kedrin Seastrunk said last week’s loss — determined by a missed PAT, a missed field goal and a whole bunch of miscues — was probably the most frustrating game he had ever been associated with.

“I’m just not used to this,” said Seastrunk, who added he lost only six games in his whole Texas high school career. “I’m trying to learn how to come out of a situation I’ve never been in. I’m trying to give myself a little grace, but I don’t expect not to win.”

Many (2-1), which outnumbers Class A St. Mary’s by nearly 40 players, scored 49 points in a Week 2 win over Class 4A DeRidder and gave up 48 in a loss to 4A Leesville last week.

Last year, St. Mary’s broke out for a 64-40 victory over the other Tigers.

“They might be the same team, physically,” Seastrunk said. “But they have a whole new mentality.”

The Lakeview Gators have had a rough start to this season, losing their first three games in decidedly lopsided ways. The team has scored six points in three games while giving up… let’s just say a lot more than that.

Last week it was Woodlawn of Shreveport, the second Class 4A team that has bullied the Class 1A Gators, who had about 20 players on the home side last Friday night.

If anyone asks Gators coach Lawrence Seawood, who inherited this year’s brutal schedule,  about it, he’ll be blunt.

“That’s the last 4A school this team should ever see,” Seawood said.

After this week, Lakeview will face only teams in Class 1A.

But first the Gators will go on the road to face the Class 2A DeQuincy Tigers (1-2), who still have twice as many players as Lakeview, none of whom are still in middle school. DeQuincy is coming off a 52-20 win over Class 1A Oberlin last week.

Seawood hopes his team matches up better with a team even a little closer in size and he is anxious to see if his team can improve upon last year’s 56-0 loss to the Tigers.

As he has since he took over at Lakeview last year, Seawood looks at the improvements his players make each week.

“We actually got a defensive stop,” he said. “It being homecoming, I guess everybody was amped up. They were flying to the ball, running to the ball. For the most part we were holding them pretty good.”

But a couple of miscues that led to big plays for their opponent.

“We’ve just got to learn how to execute,” he said.

Contact Lori at sportslyons@gmail.com

The Northwestern State Demons open the Southland Conference volleyball season tonight at 6:30 in Prather Coliseum against the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals.

The Demons (1-13) are playing just their second home game under first-year head coach Ben Kaszeta following six straight road games in the Golden Eagle Classic this past weekend and the UNT-UTA Invitational Sept 12-13.

Despite the losses at the Golden Eagle Classic, NSU’s Samaya Wesson was named to the All-Tournament team with 20 kills and two aces combined. Wesson had 10 kills against Southern Mississippi, seven against Grambling and three against Jackson State. The junior is third in the Southland Conference with 45 blocks after six this weekend.

Jade Longlad leads the Southland in aces with 29 after recording seven against Grambling Saturday. The seven aces were a conference high mark this season.  Reagan Hamm is fourth in the league with 21 aces. The Demons lead the conference in aces with 89.

Junior Olivia Bush returned from a knee injury after missing the team’s first 11 games and she had 12 kills for the week.

“Olivia was a shining moment of very few last weekend,” said Kaszeta. “When we learn how to put pressure on the other side of the net, good things will happen.”

The Cardinals (4-8), under third year head coach Gabby Ording, enter Thursday’s matchup led by Kyla Malone 112 kills for the season.

The Cardinals have defeated the Demons three straight matches, but NSU leads the all-time series 14-6 and is 9-2 all-time at Prather Coliseum

Every season, one of the most emotional games of the season comes on Senior Day.

This season, five players who have poured their heart and soul into the program are being honored following today’s Senior Day game against Prairie View A&M.

The group of Paige Baumgartner, Jessica Spitzer, Madison Murphy, Dawson Marrs and Annie Stook are being honored, as NSU faces off with Prairie View in the final non-conference match of the season. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. and fans can watch on ESPN+.

NSU (5-2-3) enters the match following a positive start to Southland Conference play, winning at UTRGV before tying rival Stephen F. Austin in Natchitoches.

Spitzer and Murphy, along with Riley Stern and Emily Mougia, are only holdovers from the Stu Gore era still left on the team, and Spitzer and Murphy were vital in aiding the coaching transition to the Ian Brophy era.

“With Murph, Jess, Riley and Mougia, I am really proud of the way they have bought into our system and culture and style of play,” Brophy said. “Madison is a captain and even though Jess isn’t a captain in title, she leads without the title. She is a great leader, and everyone looks up to her.

“The whole group is special and will be missed.”

In the past three seasons during the Brophy era, the team is 13-3-4 in front of the home crowd, and aim to notch one more non-conference regular season victory against Prairie View A&M (1-6-1).

Following the match, the Demons move back into SLC play for the remainder of the season, starting with a trip to Houston Christian on Sunday.

The Family Doctors of Natchitoches want to remind their patients that it’s time to get a flu shot. Their clinic now has both the regular and high-dose senior vaccines available.

An annual flu shot is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age.

Call (318) 352-6800 for an appointment today.

The Family Doctors of Natchitoches
615 Bienville St.
Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457

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The Natchitoches Junior High Boys’ and Girls’ Track Teams are launching an exciting fundraiser to support their 2025–26 season. The teams will partner with Double Good Popcorn from September 24, 2025, at midnight through September 26, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. to raise funds for uniforms, shoes, and travel expenses.

Boys’ Track Coach Deus Desire and Girls’ Track Coach Areyona Williams are enthusiastic about the effort. Coach Desire shared that the fundraiser gives student-athletes a chance to take pride in contributing to their season’s success. Coach Williams added that seeing the community invest in their athletes’ future motivates the entire team to reach new goals.

Principal Bobby Benjamin expressed his heartfelt thanks:

“The support from our community for this fundraising event means a great deal to us. The money from each purchase enables our athletes to obtain the essentials needed to compete at an optimal level, such as uniforms, shoes, and travel expenses.”

How It Works

• The fundraiser is completely online through Double Good’s platform.
• Shop the NJH Pop-Up Store here: https://popup.doublegood.com/s/8qu343jl
• 50% of all sales go directly to the NJH Track Teams.
• Popcorn ships straight to your door—no pickup or delivery required from students.
• Prices start at just $11, with award-winning popcorn flavors that are both fan favorites and delicious.

By participating, supporters help the Natchitoches Junior High–Frankie Ray Jackson School Track Teams meet their equipment and travel needs while enjoying some of the best popcorn around.

Mark your calendars for September 24–26, 2025 and join us in cheering on our student-athletes by purchasing from the Double Good Popcorn fundraiser!

Following a pair of shutouts to begin Southland Conference play, Northwestern State’s Kennedy Rist was named the SLC Goalkeeper of the Week for third time this season, the league announced Tuesday.

The native of Palm Harbor, Fla., stopped seven shots in recording two clean sheets to start out conference play. That includes a three-save performance in a scoreless draw against Stephen F. Austin, the reigning conference regular season and tournament champion.

Rist’s three goalkeeper of the week awards are the most for an NSU keeper since Acelya Aydogmus took home four in 2021.

In the tie against SFA, she made all three of her saves in the second half with all being at crucial times and in spectacular fashion.

She posted a shutout in the 2-0 victory at UTRGV on Thursday to begin conference play.

She stopped four shots for NSU in the triumph, three of which came in the second half. Two of her saves came with the game scoreless, as it remained that way until the 61st minute, and her other two came with NSU protecting a one-goal advantage.

Rist leads the conference in both goals against average (.817) and save percentage (.850) in overall games. Overall, she has recorded three solo shutouts, as well as a combined shutout against Mississippi Valley State.

It is the seventh weekly award for the Demons this season in six weeks, and they have won at least one award in five of the six weeks.

Rist and the Demons return to action Thursday when they play their final non-conference contest of the season against Prairie View A&M. The game is Senior Day, as five NSU athletes are being honored following the match.

Opinion submitted by Kevin Shannahan

The STORY (Small Town Outreach, Recruitment and Yield) Information Session on Sunday, Sept. 14, presented by Yale University’s Admissions Office at the LSMSA should have been packed with teachers, guidance counselors and students from every high school in the parish. Sadly, it was not. Things need to change in our community. We have our priorities out of whack and let an incredible opportunity go by the wayside. Our children deserved better.

Not just Harvard. Not just Yale or Princeton. The entire Ivy League was at the college fair as were MIT, Caltech, Wellesley, Smith and an incredible array of some of the finest colleges and universities in the nation, if not the world. They were there with the expressed intent of reaching out to underserved rural areas such as central Louisiana. They were there for our young men and women, the only such fair to be held in the entire state of Louisiana.

One would think that an opportunity to meet with several Ivy League recruiters would pique the professional interest of the area’s school officials and guidance counselors. One would be wrong.

I have always held that our children are as smart, talented and capable as those in any area of the country. They will rise to any challenge put before them. All they need is vision and leadership!

Yale STORY Program to hold College Information Session open to ALL Cenla high school students