At the 2026 Southland Conference Outdoor Championships, Lawson Fritsch secured a personal best of 16-9.5 in pole vault, finishing second after narrowly missing the gold. His effort marks the fourth-best height in McNeese history. Amire Ledet and Gregory Martin also contributed to the team’s scores in the triple jump and 1500-meters, respectively. Despite strong performances, the Cowboys placed 11th overall, while the Cowgirls finished eighth led by Jaslyn Russell’s sixth in discus.

By the Numbers
  • Lawson Fritsch's height of 16-9.5 is a personal best and the fourth-best in school history.
  • Amire Ledet achieved a jump of 48-8.75, earning fourth in triple jump.
  • Northwestern State won the women's title with 147.5 points; McNeese scored 33 points, placing eighth.
  • SFA took the men's title with 164 points; McNeese ended with 26 points in 11th place.
Yes, But

While Fritsch narrowly missed a historic win, the overall performance of the Cowboys and Cowgirls was mixed, with team placements below expectations despite individual achievements. The Cowgirls scored 33 points, indicating areas for improvement, especially against competitors like Northwestern State and SFA.

State of Play
  • The Cowboys placed 11th overall, struggling to compete against stronger teams.
  • The Cowgirls had notable individual performances but remained in the lower tier of team scoring.
What's Next

Looking ahead, McNeese athletes will likely focus on securing improvements in training and competitions to raise their standings in upcoming events. The aim will be to build on individual successes while enhancing team performance in future championships.

Bottom Line

Despite personal bests from several athletes, the McNeese track and field teams face challenges in competing against top conference rivals. Focused strategy and enhanced preparation will be critical to achieving team goals in future contests.