HOUSTON, Texas - The Nicholls State University track program put a bow on its regular season schedule by taking part in the J. Fred Duckett Twilight, hosted by Rice University on Saturday.

Maryse Mbenoun posted one of the top finishes for the Colonels, taking fifth in the 500m with a 2:13.64. The mark was not only a personal best for Mbenoun but it also placed her at No. 5 on the program's all-time performance list. 

Traya Bruce qualified for the finals in the javelin and placed sixth with a 120'09"

Elsa Rijpstra participated in the 3000m steeplechase and turned in the No. 2 all-time performance with an 11:06.14, placing her fifth out of 14 runners. Ceren Yilmas also had a program top 5 finish with an 18:27.84 in the 5000m.

Also for the women's squad, Nia Maye posted the No. 6 all-time performance in the 400m with a 57.76 and Sydney Brown had a 5'1.75" in the high jump to crack the performers' list. Kalin Baratka set a personal record in the 1500m by 14 seconds with a 5:11.48. 

For the men's team, Christopher Tucker advanced to the finals in the long jump and took ninth with a career long 23'8.75". Other notable personal best were William Bellina and Chase Walker in the 1500m, Jake Fabacher posted a 1:59.71 in the 800m and Thomas Saunders clocked a PR in the 5000m. 

"Rice put on an excellent meet with high level competition in every event," said Stefanie Slekis, Nicholls head track coach. "We responded well with Chris Tucker and Traya Bruce advancing to field event finals, as well as five women making their mark on the all-time list and others reaching lifetime personal bests. We are right where we need to be heading into the championship in a week-and-a-half and will be ready for some even bigger performances there.

Nicholls will head to Commerce, Texas for the Southland Outdoor Championships, starting on Thursday, May 4.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nicholls Track & Field/XC (@nichollstfxc)