From Staff Reports

Southeastern Louisiana University’s Nia Stewart shattered the school’s record for the 60-meter indoor run at the Southland Conference Championships last weekend at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.

Stewart completed the record-breaking performance in 7.57 seconds in the preliminary round, eclipsing the school record of 7.6 seconds.

In the preliminary run, Stewart’s time placed her seventh. The fastest preliminary time was recorded by Shannon Reynolds of the University of Texas-Arlington at 7.49.

“After crossing the finish line in the 60m prelims on Friday, I was really anxious to see my time because that was the best I have ever felt running the 60m all season,” Stewart said. “When they posted 7.57 seconds next to my name on the screen, I felt so proud because it was a huge PR (personal record) for me and I also broke the school’s record of 7.60 seconds. I had to quickly snap out of it and focus on finals in hopes of lowering the school record.”

Reynolds won in the finals with a time of 7.51 seconds, while Stewart again recorded a 7.57 mark for fifth place.

“After seeing that I ran the same time in the finals, I was a little disappointed but at the same time happy because, overall, I had a good meet,” Stewart said.

Stewart, a sophomore, also competed in the long jump and placed 19th with a leap of 17-feet, six inches. Shakelia Coleman of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi won the event with a leap of 19-feet, seven inches.

The meet concluded Stewart’s indoor season, and she now will turn her attention to Southeastern’s outdoor season.

“Those girls better watch out because I’m hungry and ready to get it in for the outdoor season,” Stewart said.