McNeese State University Athletics

Samantha Chesson was a 1998 and 2000 Southland Conference champion in the javelin event and a 1999 All-American after she finished in sixth place at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to become the first Cowgirl All-American in school history. The Vinton native qualified for two NCAA meets in 1997 and 1999 and in 1999, she broke her own school record with a throw of 169-5 at the NCAA Championships that led her to the all-American status. That record still holds today and is also ranked as the fourth-best throw in Southland Conference history.