NATCHITOCHES, La. -- The Nicholls State University track & field program opened competition Friday morning at the Southland Conference Championships, notching a third-place finish -- Chelsea Harrington in the women's long jump -- and two major personal records (Harrington and Haley Gregoire in the women's 10,000m) at Northwestern State's Ledet Track Complex. Harrington surged into solid standing early during the long jump, posting a 5.88m leap to secure a personal best and second all-time in the Colonels' record book. The freshman's jump proceeded to lock down third place in the finals, automatically granting her a position on the All-Southland third team.

Meanwhile, Gregoire managed a 12th-place overall finish in the 10,000m run behind a 39:41.58 time, outpacing her previous personal record by one minute and 40 seconds and capturing fourth all-time in the school's outdoor record book.

"We had a fantastic opening day at the Southland Conference Championship as both Chelsea Harrington and Haley Gregoire set personal bests," Nicholls head coach Stefanie Slekis said. "They both took advantage of the conditions today to beat competitors who came into their events ranked ahead of them or with more notable credentials. We have great momentum heading into Saturday's running event prelims and Jeremy Roger's final in the javelin. We are hoping for the weather to not delay the meet and we're looking forward to setting more personal records, all-time Nicholls Top 10 marks and qualifying for finals."

With the first day of competition wrapped up, the Colonels move onto day two of the Southland Conference Championships on Saturday before concluding the meet on Sunday.

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