Track & Field: Cajuns host Louisiana Classics meet + 2012 reunion

Bruce Brown, Daily Advertiser, March 15, 2012

Lon Badeaux can recall competing in the Louisiana Classics when he was a record-setting pole vaulter for UL’s Ragin’ Cajuns.

This weekend will be his first chance to host that event as head coach of the school’s men’s and women’s track and field teams as they welcome an array of state and regional foes in the Classics at Cajun Track.

The decathlon and heptathlon multi events start the action today, a small high school meet will be included on Friday, and Saturday will mark the collegiate climax both in the field and on the track.

"This is our first (outdoor) meet of the year," Badeaux said. "We’re still training through a lot of meets. We’ll use this to knock off the rust, really. I don’t have a lot of expectations for the meet.

"It will be valuable to look at our hurdlers in the 110 hurdles, instead of the (indoors) 55-meter hurdles. We need to see where we’re at for events like that. Who knows? A few may even qualify for (NCAA) regionals.

"We’re going to point to the first LSU meet, then the Texas Relays after that. This is more of a training time for us."

Joining the Cajuns are athletes from LSU, Mississippi State, La. Tech, McNeese State, UL-Monroe, Southeastern Louisiana, Xavier, Loyola and Sun Belt rivals South Alabama ad Troy.

The meet is one of two home meets leading to the Sun Belt Conference Championships in May at UL.

Led by NCAA Indoor All-American women’s triple jumper Jasmine Manuel, UL is strongest in field events while seeking improvement in running events.

"We’re trying to be more well-rounded, with success in both track and field, but the strength of our coaching staff is in the field," Badeaux said. "We’ll always be powerful there.

"Plus, that’s an area (field events) that south Louisiana is strong in, so we take that and work with it."

Badeaux is optimistic of rebuilding the Cajun program.

"(Athletic Director) Scott (Farmer) has been great," Badeaux said. "We visited in January about the goals we have for the program, and I think we have the support to do what it takes. We have enough travel money to recruit and go to the meets we need to compete in.

"I like the direction the overall athletic program is headed. It had been stagnant for a while, but when you see the facilities being built for all sports, it’s’ very refreshing."