NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Jaelyn Mitchell was voted NAIA National Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week for March 17-23, the NAIA announced Wednesday.
        Mitchell — a sophomore from New Orleans and a graduate of Ben Franklin High School — also won Red River Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week for the same period.
        Mitchell qualified for NAIA nationals in three events Saturday at the Louisiana Classics meet in Lafayette. Mitchell, Nevaeh Lacey, Breanna Clarke and Jordan Blair qualified in the 400-meter relay with an A-time of 46.15 seconds that is No. 2 on the Gold Nuggets' all-time list.
        Mitchell also produced an A-time of 11.71 in the 100 and a B-time of 24.38 in the 200. The relay team placed fourth at the meet, and Mitchell was third in the 100 and fourth in the 200.
        XULA's women and men will compete Saturday in the Southern Miss Invitational at Hattiesburg.



Jaelyn Mitchell photos by Jake Paige