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American Press
23-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Put-ting in the work
McNeese senior Marcus Francis has had a record-setting career for the Cowboys. (McNeese Athletics) M arcus Francis left Lake Charles to chase his football dream. When he returned, he started on a different athletic path, leading to a record career in his hometown. Last weekend, Francis fulfilled his chase of greatness when he became the first McNeese State athlete to win the gold medal in both the discus and shot put at the Southland Conference Track and Field Championships. The Southland Thursday named him the Men's Outdoor Field Performer of the Year. 'It was a great feeling,' Francis said. 'It was a great meet. I've been working very hard for this.' But Francis's short journey from Lake Charles College Prep to McNeese's history books wasn't simple. Francis won the discus title last Saturday in Houston with a throw of 176 feet, two inches to win by nearly 20 feet over second-place Anthony Oliver of Lamar (158-10). His work the day before was even more impressive. On Friday, the senior thrower broke a 34-year-old McNeese record in the shot put with a toss of 61-9¾, breaking the mark of All-American and Olympian Kevin Toth (61-7¾) set in 1991. Francis is the first conference winner from McNeese in the shot put since Toth won the title in 1990 and 1991. 'That was something I was after from the first day I got to McNeese,' said Francis. 'I finally got it. It was a big thing for me. I put a lot of work into it.' And that work over the years has made a difference. Francis admitted that when he was in high school, football came first. He was more of a power guy who could throw a long way. After high school, Francis went off to play football at Highland Community College in Kansas, but that didn't work out. 'It just wasn't for me,' said Francis. 'I had a new perspective, a different perspective on football then.' He remembered that during his senior season in high school, McNeese head track coach Bredon Gilroy had left the door open for Francis if football didn't work out. 'Coach Gilroy made sure I knew McNeese had a place for me if I wanted it,' Francis said. 'He gave me a shot to come here and come home. It's been great.' The move worked out because Francis embraced his new number-one sport. 'When he picked football, we just kept talking, and I told him that he would have a spot here if he ever wanted it,' said Gilroy. 'He's worked so hard and progressed each year and grown as a person as well. It's been great to see.' Francis' improvement has impressed his throw coach, Janell Fullerton, who used to be his teammate. 'Marcus has worked on his techniques over his career,' said Fullerton. 'Before, in high school, he used his strength mainly. He had some learning to do. 'Now he has the technique down and is more than just a power thrower. You saw him work even harder when he started seeing the results.' Francis' double gold medal wins nearly earned him recognition as the meet's most valuable player. He finished with 24 points, one behind the winner, Ibrahim Fuseini of East Texas A&M. Francis placed fifth in the hammer throw earlier in the meet. He now owns the school record for the indoor and outdoor shot put, the outdoor discus and the indoor weight throw. That's a long way from his days as an offensive lineman. Francis says he loves the difference. 'You take less hits; that's nice. I think you have to be more mentally tough in track because you work independently. I just had to learn to stay focused because you don't have team drills.' He also started at McNeese just after the 2020 hurricanes, so the facilities were damaged, which was another hurdle to clear. 'It was definitely hard at the start,' Francis said. 'You had to share a lot of space and wouldn't get home until late. A lot of things were still broken. Now it's great with everything new.' What really fits his style, he said, is the fact that not everyone follows his sport. 'I'm not a big deal at wanting attention,' Francis said. 'I stick to myself a lot. Not everyone knows who I am. I like that.' Francis has a chance in a week to make an even bigger name for himself at the East Regionals in Jacksonville, Fla., where he'll try to earn a spot in the national championships. Cowboy hurdler Jaden Powell will join him at the first round meet May 28-31. 'I believe I can be even better,' Francis said. 'I believe I can throw it way further.' Maybe he can throw all the way to Oregon's NCAA Championships? That would finish his college track and field journey perfectly.
American Press
15-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Landreneau staying put
James Landreneau looking forward to next season. (McNeese Athletics) James Landreneau will be back next season as the head coach of the McNeese State softball team. McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer said Landreneau's contract was rolled over for the fourth year, as officially agreed upon on Wednesday. Landreneau signed a three-year deal after the 2022 season, which included a fourth-year rollover. The news comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the program. 'Everything is going as planned,' said Landreneau. 'This is what we had expected.' Schroyer and Landreau met on Wednesday as part of the annual season-ending review. 'We are just moving forward, that is the best way to get over the tough loss,' said Landreneau. 'We are disappointed in how it finished, but I'm proud of the way our team fought back this year.' McNeese was an extremely young team that ended strong after a 17-16 start. The Cowgirls rallied to finish 41-20, their fourth straight 40-plus win season. They also won their fourth straight Southland Conference regular-season title, becoming the first program in league history to do that. They were one out of winning a fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in five seasons. McNeese lost a controversial 6-5 decision to rival Southeastern last Saturday night when the umpires reversed a late call after the Cowgirls had actually celebrated getting the final out. 'Coach Landreneau did an exceptional job, maybe his best year coaching yet,' Schroyer said. 'We're excited to have him back next year. 'We had a very young roster this year, and the team came together and grew as the season progressed. I'm looking forward to watching this team continue to grow next year.' In his nine seasons at McNeese, Landreneau has posted a 339-181 record, winning five tournament and five regular-season crowns. He was named the league's Coach of the Year for the fourth time earlier this month after becoming the winningest skipper in program history early in the season. Landreneau and his pitching staff will return at least seven starters next season. The only everyday player who will definitely not be back will be all-conference shortstop Reese Reyna, who is out of eligibility. 'We have a young team and we learned a lot this year,' said Landreneau. 'We have gone through great exit interviews this week and have gotten a lot of positive feedback on where we are headed. I'm excited about getting back at it in the fall.' On Thursday, the organization announced that junior third baseman Jada Muñoz was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's All-Region team . Muñoz was selected to the Gulf Region third team. Muñoz led McNeese with 15 home runs, 19 doubles, 56 RBI, 26 walks, 126 total bases, 52 runs scored, .720 slugging percent, and was third on the team with a .343 batting average. Ironically, despite finishing second in the league in homers and leading in RBIs, Muñoz was not named to the all-Southland team.
American Press
13-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Worth the wait
Conner Westenburg waited two years to become McNeese's big weapon. (McNeese Athletics) F or two seasons, Conner Westenburg waited and wondered if he would ever get his big chance. He had played in just 29 games, serving mainly as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. Westenburg had just one start and one hit, though he did score 13 runs and drove in a couple. 'I got a couple of chances, but I didn't do much with them,' said Westenburg. 'I didn't really earn more time. I was hoping to get my shot. 'That was tough. Everybody wants to play. Waiting and not playing is hard, but I'm glad I did it.' And he never considered going elsewhere to get it. 'Loyalty is a big deal to me and my family,' said Westenburg. 'From the moment I came to McNeese, I was all about the blue and gold. This is where I wanted to be and wanted to play. Never a doubt.' Westenburg, an outfielder from Porter, Texas, earned his spot in the lineup during fall workouts before the 2024 campaign. 'I just kept working and making things happen when he was out there,' said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. 'It is a tribute to his work ethic and willingness to continue to work and make himself better, and always thinking of the team first.' Hill also understands Westenburg could have left at any time in the world of the transfer portal. 'He is kind of the ultimate kid in that he stayed and benefited,' said Hill. 'I can't say enough good things about Conner Westenburg. He kept working and he turned himself into an all-conference player.' Westenburg started all 59 games a year ago, hitting .296 with 17 doubles, three triples and six home runs. He scored 46 runs and drove in 41 while stealing 20 bases in 23 attempts. This year, the centerfielder has been even better. He is tied for the league lead in triples with nine and was a legitimate Southland Conference Player of the Year candidate late into the season. Westenburg leads the Cowboys with 64 hits, one more than Easton Dowell, as McNeese gets set to open postseason play in Hammond Thursday against Northwestern State. He is second in the league in runs scored at 60. Westenburg leads the conference in stolen bases with 25 in 30 attempts and has a .330 average, up 34 points from last season. He has also hit seven home runs and plays the type of center field that earned him defensive league honors last year. According to one set of metrics, Westenburg leads the nation in runs saved at 18.61, ahead of UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky's second-best 16.44. His nine outfield assists are believed to be a McNeese record. 'Conner is an electric player,' said Hill. 'He gets us going and keeps our energy up, especially how he plays the outfield. He gets to everything out there.' However, Westenburg isn't just a baseball player. With a 3.87 individual grade point average, he won the Rowdy Award for the highest individual grade point average among athletes. Westenburg graduated Monday, earning his degree in general studies. When asked which he was more proud of, the batting average or his GPA, Westenburg wasn't sure if he wanted to be honest. 'I guess the batting average because it leads to wins,' he said. 'But I think they both show how hard I worked, and I'm proud of that. 'I always knew what I was capable of doing; I just had to wait and make the most of my chances when I got them. I think I have done that.' Both on the field and in the classroom, Westenburg has done just that.
American Press
04-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Fontenot delivers in Cowgirl win
Nyjah Fontenot is greeted by teammates after delivering winning hit Saturday. (McNeese Athletics photo) The Cowgirls are making walk-off wins a habit. Top-seeded McNeese was pushed to the brink for the second time in the Lake Charles bracket, winning only with one final swing. Nyjah Fontenot's sharp single up the middle scored pinch-runner Rylee Eyster from second with two out in the bottom of the seventh Saturday to give McNeese a 4-3 victory over Incarnate Word. The win was the Cowgirls' third straight walk-off win in postseason play at Joe Miller Ballpark, dating back to the championship game of 2022. Fontenot's winner came after the Cardinal (28-20) had rallied from three runs down to tie the game at 3-3. 'That was a really good softball game,' said McNeese head coach James Landreneau. 'We bounced back from them tying it and regained the momentum. It's a big win.' The victory sends the top-seeded Cowgirls (39-18) into the title game on Sunday at 1 p.m. They will face the Saturday night's matchup winner between No. 4 UIW and No. 5 Lamar. McNeese will have to win once on Sunday to host the best-of-3 championship series against No. 2 seed Southeastern starting Thursday. An Arkansas transfer, Fontenot ensured McNeese stayed in the winner's bracket. 'I had an idea of what I wanted to do,' said Fontenot. 'I didn't want to overdo it, so I just put a good swing on it.' The rally started with a one-out pinch-hit single from Gwinn Hall. Eyster ran for Hall, and one out later was on second, after Kassidy Chance singled to leave, setting up Fontenot. 'Nyjah was able to come up with that big hit for us,' said Landreneau. 'We just keep working and trying to make something happen.' Senior Reese Reyna had another big tournament game. The shortstop went 3-for-3 and scored two runs. She has four straight hits in this tournament. 'Just playing one pitch at a time,' said Reyna. 'We trust everybody in our lineup. You just have to do it when you get your shot.' Rylie Bouvier drove in a pair of runs on a sacrifice fly and double as McNeese took a 3-0 lead after four innings. But a two-run homer by Prisias Quintero, her first of the season, cut the McNeese lead to 3-2 in the sixth. In the seventh, the Cardinals tied the game with a run without a hit, scoring on a groundout to second to tie the game. McNeese freshman Maddie Taylor started, was replaced for two-thirds of an inning by Ryann Schexnayder, and returned to get the win and improve to 17-7. The Pitcher of the Year finished her 6⅓ innings of work, allowing just one run on five hits, striking out five and walking three. The victory was McNeese's 44th straight over the last three years at home against Southland opponents and 16th in their last 17 games overall. 'I thought Maddie pitched a really good game,' said Landreneau. 'When I took her out, we told her to stay in the game, we might bring her back. That's not always easy, but she did it.' The game was originally scheduled for Friday night; however, the heavy rains washed things back to Saturday and into Sunday.
