University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Cajuns Open Indoor Season at Purple Tiger Invite
1/11/2024 5:02:00 PM | Track and Field
The Cajuns look to build on a historic 2023 season
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - The 2024 indoor season begins in Baton Rouge for the Louisiana track and field team on Friday, January 12. The season begins at the Purple Tiger Invite in a field that features fellow Louisiana schools; LSU, McNeese, New Orleans, Nicolls, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern, and ULM. The field also features Sun Belt Conference foe South Alabama.
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The Ragin' Cajuns are coming off a 2023 indoor season that saw the men have their best finish at the conference championships in recent memory. They placed second, their best finish since 2004, and scored 126.5 points, their most at the championships since 1996. As a team, the men set seven top-five scores in indoor events.
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The women finished sixth in the SBC and set three program records. Ta'La Spates became the fastest woman to run the 400-meter with a time of 54.63 seconds, just ahead of teammate Moseiha Bridgen at 54.93. The duo was instrumental in the 400-meter relay squad breaking the school record, running the event in 3:43.28. Jaqueline Pokuaah also broke the 32-year-old record in the long jump with a distance of 20 feet, 5.75 inches. In total, the women had 13 top-five scores during the indoor season.
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The Cajuns return a lot of talent from last year's team. Coming back for the men are sprinters Warrick Baker, Jamhad Booth, Christopher Gravois, Antoni Hoyte-Small, Javed Jones, Trejun Jones, Floyd Pond, and Caemon Scott. The talented group is joined by Albany transfer Garry Munro. Timothy Cola returns for hurdles while distance runners Peyton Chiasson and Reece Shelby are also poised for big seasons.Â
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Jeremy Nelson is back to defend his SBC indoor and outdoor long jump championships and is joined by Joshua Mason. In the pole vault, Timothy Gale and Nick Russell are expected to score for Louisiana. Throwers Tyren Hannah, Oliver Jack, and Daunte Parish are poised to score come the conference championships as is Luke Benoit in multi-events.
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The women will also be strongly represented in sprints with a roster that features Moseiha Bridgen, Alexandra Johnson, Kennedy London, Shemia Odaine, Mari Robinson, Ta'La Spates, and Kennedy Washington. Jumpers Taylor Davis and Taylor Walls are joined by transfer Reem Tammam from Houston Christian.Â
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Louisiana will be represented strongly in the pole vault with Jordan Brown and Cammi Martinez, who each are tied for the fourth-best score in school history at 12 feet 6 inches. Other Cajuns poised to contribute in 2024 are thrower Marin Barras, Blair Lefleur in multi-events, and distance runner Haley Salsbury.
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FOLLOW THE CAJUNS
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.Â
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Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsTRK), Facebook (Ragin' Cajuns TRK) or Instagram (@RaginCajuns_TRK) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Track and Field/Cross Country.
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The Ragin' Cajuns are coming off a 2023 indoor season that saw the men have their best finish at the conference championships in recent memory. They placed second, their best finish since 2004, and scored 126.5 points, their most at the championships since 1996. As a team, the men set seven top-five scores in indoor events.
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The women finished sixth in the SBC and set three program records. Ta'La Spates became the fastest woman to run the 400-meter with a time of 54.63 seconds, just ahead of teammate Moseiha Bridgen at 54.93. The duo was instrumental in the 400-meter relay squad breaking the school record, running the event in 3:43.28. Jaqueline Pokuaah also broke the 32-year-old record in the long jump with a distance of 20 feet, 5.75 inches. In total, the women had 13 top-five scores during the indoor season.
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The Cajuns return a lot of talent from last year's team. Coming back for the men are sprinters Warrick Baker, Jamhad Booth, Christopher Gravois, Antoni Hoyte-Small, Javed Jones, Trejun Jones, Floyd Pond, and Caemon Scott. The talented group is joined by Albany transfer Garry Munro. Timothy Cola returns for hurdles while distance runners Peyton Chiasson and Reece Shelby are also poised for big seasons.Â
Â
Jeremy Nelson is back to defend his SBC indoor and outdoor long jump championships and is joined by Joshua Mason. In the pole vault, Timothy Gale and Nick Russell are expected to score for Louisiana. Throwers Tyren Hannah, Oliver Jack, and Daunte Parish are poised to score come the conference championships as is Luke Benoit in multi-events.
Â
The women will also be strongly represented in sprints with a roster that features Moseiha Bridgen, Alexandra Johnson, Kennedy London, Shemia Odaine, Mari Robinson, Ta'La Spates, and Kennedy Washington. Jumpers Taylor Davis and Taylor Walls are joined by transfer Reem Tammam from Houston Christian.Â
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Louisiana will be represented strongly in the pole vault with Jordan Brown and Cammi Martinez, who each are tied for the fourth-best score in school history at 12 feet 6 inches. Other Cajuns poised to contribute in 2024 are thrower Marin Barras, Blair Lefleur in multi-events, and distance runner Haley Salsbury.
Â
FOLLOW THE CAJUNS
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.Â
Â
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsTRK), Facebook (Ragin' Cajuns TRK) or Instagram (@RaginCajuns_TRK) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Track and Field/Cross Country.
Players Mentioned
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