Olympian Erica Bartolina has joined the field in the women's pole vault for Friday's Jeff Davis Bank/McNeese State indoor track and field meet.

            Now an assistant track and field coach at Southeastern Louisiana, Bartolina will make her season debut in the event, competing unattached.  She will be joined by Cowgirls' Emily Lewis, Erin Kleckley and Franki Taylor in the event.

            Also on Friday, a special 600 meter run will be held for kids 12 and under.  It will take place just prior to the collegiate 800 meter run.

            High schools will run on Saturday.

            Bartolina, who is married to former McNeese assistant coach Michael Bartolina, participated in the 2008 Olympics for the USA.  She has a career best of 14-11 and is expected to exceed the Ralph O. Ward complex record of 11-7 ¾.

            The top efforts  for the Cowgirls this season have been 10-2 by both Lewis and Kleckley.

            During a collegiate career at Texas A&M, Bartolina was a two-time Big 12 champion and a three time NCAA championship qualifier.  She placed third in the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore. to earn a berth on the team.

            She was the first female pole vaulter in Texas A&M history and she still holds the Aggie record of 13-3 ¾.  She graduated in 2002 and is presently serving as a volunteer track and field coach at Southeastern Louisiana.

            Friday's pole vault event will begin at 5 p.m.