NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's 400-meter relay team of Clarke Allen, Chelsea James, Devinn Rolland and Tylor Row shared the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Performer of the Week in women's track for April 20-26 after producing an NAIA B-qualifying time Saturday.
     Rolland was a double winner; she earned the GCAC women's field weekly award in the long jump.
     Allen, James, Rolland and Row finished third in 48.13 seconds at the Southern Miss Invitational. It was the fourth time this season that the Gold Nuggets produced an NAIA A- or B-qualifying time in this event.
     Rolland placed fifth in the long jump with a best mark of 5.19 meters (17 feet, one-half inch). Rolland outjumped three NCAA Division I athletes and four from NCAA Division II.
     Rolland, a senior from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School, is no stranger to GCAC awards. She has been the conference's track honoree twice this season and eight times in her career. For field events, Rolland has won twice this season and 12 times in her career. Rolland is the GCAC career record holder in track and field weekly awards.
     For Rolland's teammates, it's their first time to earn a GCAC weekly honor. Allen is a freshman from Mendehall, Miss., and a graduate of Mendenhall High School. James is a junior from Gadsden, Ala., and a graduate of Gadsden City High School. Row is a freshman from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of St. Michael High School.
     Next for qualified XU women's and men's athletes will be the NAIA National Championships May 21-23 at Gulf Shores, Ala.