NSU Dominates Home Meet with 19 Event Wins

Demons and Lady Demons combine for impressive performance at Leon Johnson NSU Invitational

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:20am

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The Northwestern State track and field teams put on a dominant display at their only home meet of the season, winning a combined 19 events at the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational on Saturday. The Demons and Lady Demons won 17 individual events, with 16 different athletes taking first place finishes across a variety of disciplines.

Why it matters

The impressive home performance showcases the depth and talent of the NSU track and field program, which is poised for a strong showing in the upcoming Southland Conference championships and NCAA East Regionals. The Demons and Lady Demons proved they can thrive in a familiar environment, setting personal bests and conference-leading marks across multiple events.

The details

Highlights of the day included Teodora Zahradnickova's personal-best discus throw of 172-6, which leads the Southland Conference. On the men's side, Jaylon Hudson's season-best 181-1 in the discus moved him into the top 10 for NCAA East qualifying. The throwers shined, with Zahradnickova, Anisha Gibbons, and Kobe Smith all recording personal bests. In the jumps, Ty Kelly cleared 7-0.75 in the high jump, a new personal record. The sprinters and hurdlers also excelled, with Micah Dwyer winning both the 400m and 200m races.

  • The Leon Johnson NSU Invitational took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • The Demons and Lady Demons will next compete at the Pepsi Florida Relays, a two-day event starting on Friday.

The players

Teodora Zahradnickova

A senior thrower who won the women's discus with a personal-best throw of 172-6, the top mark in the Southland Conference.

Jaylon Hudson

A Demons thrower who recorded a season-best 181-1 in the men's discus, moving him into the top 10 for NCAA East qualifying and the top mark in the Southland Conference.

Kobe Smith

A Demons thrower who set a personal best of 176-2 in the men's discus, the second-best mark in the Southland Conference.

Ty Kelly

A Demons high jumper who cleared 7-0.75, a new personal best and the first time he has cleared 7 feet.

Micah Dwyer

A Lady Demons sprinter who won both the 400m and 200m races.

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What they’re saying

“That definitely felt good. That was my furthest mark in a couple years, so that feels good and it feels good to be on top of the conference. I hope I can keep building on this because and keep getting better because it is a very competitive conference.”

— Jaylon Hudson

“It feels great. Last year at this meet, I jumped 2.14 and now this year, I jumped 2.15 meters, so it was great to be able to add onto my personal best. I am just blessed to be able to go out and do it again as a senior.”

— Ty Kelly

What’s next

The Demons and Lady Demons will next compete at the Pepsi Florida Relays, a two-day event starting on Friday.

The takeaway

The dominant home performance by the NSU track and field teams showcases the program's depth and talent, setting the stage for a strong showing in the upcoming Southland Conference championships and NCAA East Regionals. The Demons and Lady Demons proved they can thrive in a familiar environment, with multiple athletes recording personal bests and conference-leading marks.