LAKE CHARLES - In continuing with a preview of the McNeese indoor track and field season, here's a look at the sprints, jumps, and hurdles group of athletes. 
 
The entire group only graduated two athletes last season, standouts Tyler Smith and Lentz Similien.  With the bulk of the group returning, as well as adding some young hungry freshmen, this group is talented and ready to take on the season.
 
On the men's side, jumper Nemanja Koviljac and long sprinter Ethan Rapp are the lone seniors.  Koviljac was putting together a successful season last year until an injury forced him to miss the conference championship meet.   He will look to pick up where he left off last season and start this season strong.  Freshman Elijuan Singleton will join Koviljac in the triple jump, looking to battle it out within the conference.  Singleton is also a short hurdler for the Cowboys.
 
Rapp has been a part of two indoor school record 4x400 meter relays in his time as a Cowboy and will look to help lead the long sprinters to another record in the relay.  Junior long sprinter Terrill Banks, who is also a part of the record setting relay, will be looking to make the next step and become a finals qualifier in the 400-meter dash. 
 
Also returning for the Cowboys will be sophomore hurdler Morgan Frederick who had some success in his first season as a Cowboy last season while learning a brand-new event.  Scoring at the outdoor championship meet, Frederick will look to make the next step and land a spot on the podium this year as well as to become a contributor indoors. 
 
Coming off the football field is Darion Dunn, is an all-conference cornerback for the Cowboy football team and last indoor season, broke the school record in the 60-meter hurdles and placed third at the championship meet.  He also finished sixth in the long jump at the conference indoor championship meet. 
 
With Wilshawn Williams being the lone returner from last year's bronze medal 4x100 meter relay, the Cowboys will look to replace the remaining three legs with some of the new Cowboy freshmen and transfers. 
 
Josh Raphael will look to be the lead short sprinters for the Cowboys.  The transfer from Indian Hills Community College won the 60-meter dash at the intrasquad meet back in November.  Freshmen sprinters Jalen Smith, Caleb Frank, and Kentrell Jackson will look to make their way onto the 4x100 meter relay squad.  Jackson will join fellow freshman Dusan Jurosevic in the long jump, looking to compete in one of the best jump's conferences in the country.  Junior long sprinter Terrill Banks will be looking to make the next step and become a finals qualifier in the 400-meter dash. 
 
Freshman hurdler and jumper Ronnie Jackson is going to participate in his first season as a Cowboy with plenty of events to showcase his talents and abilities.  Joining sophomores Blake Grace and Lucas-Arno Voigt, the experience from the adjustment to the collegiate hurdle height should aid Jackson in his first season. 
 
On the women's side, senior Cowgirl sprinter Aleyah Donald is returning for her final season.  Last season, she was the silver medalist in the 60-meter dash and the 100-meter dash.  While also contributing in the 200-meter dash and the 4x100 meter relay, Donald will hope to make one final splash this season for the Cowgirls. 
 
Freshman sprinters Tia Andrews and Dreunna Washington are the fastest recruits coming in within the past seven years.  Along with triple threat sprinter Vic Pierson, the Cowgirl 4x100 meter relay team looks to be faster than ever. 
 
Senior hurdler Bre Carroll made a big step last season by scoring at the conference meet for the first time of her career.  The senior from Slidell is looking to move up her scoring position this year and place herself on the podium.  Add that to returners Rachel Woods and Shaelyn Hines, the female hurdle squad is set for a good season.
 
Heaven Terrell is another senior for the Cowgirl squad this season.  Coming off a year where Terrell broke through in the triple jump, she'll lead the Cowgirl jump squad by example and earn the school record in the long jump. 
 
Sophomore returning standout Malaiya Jedkins hopes to build off of her impressive freshman season where she was the number one Cowgirl triple jumper and ran on the 4x100 meter relay.  With Morgan Talley, Carli McDonald, and Shaelyn Hines also joining Jedkins in their sophomore campaign, the talented young Cowgirl jump squad will look to grow and build of the success they experienced last season. 
 
Sophomore long sprinter Shania Anthony is one of the fastest returning runners in the conference in the 800-meter run.  Anthony will look to post an even better season this year.  Freshman Brittany Clark will look to start of her career as a Cowgirl strong this season, looking to become a contributor in the 800 meters and 400 meters. 
 
Assistant coach Vijay Saxena said the biggest difference from his first year to now is the level of commitment from the athletes.  "My first year, we maybe had a total of five athletes working out over the winter break and reporting it to me.  Now, over the summer, we had over half the training group stayed around for school and training, and a vast majority stayed in touch with me over the winter break.  That has been the biggest difference to me.  The kids we have now are willing to make sacrifices to achieve a goal and truly want to be great."
 
The Cowboys and Cowgirls will kick off their season this Friday at Texas A&M in the Ted Nelson Invitational Meet.