Alcorn State University’s track and field team will compete at the Alumni Bulldog Relays this weekend in Starkville, Mississippi. The meet runs from Friday, March 27, through Saturday, March 28, at Mississippi State’s Mike Sanders Track Complex. Admission is free, and live results are available online, according to meet organizers.
Coach Banks expressed enthusiasm about the team’s upcoming appearance. “We’re excited about the opportunity to compete at Mississippi State. The Alumni Bulldog Relays is a great early-season meet, and we’re looking forward to seeing where our guys and girls stack up against some quality competition,” he said. Banks added that transitioning from indoor to outdoor track requires focus. “We’re focused on building on what we established indoors and making sure our athletes are mentally and physically ready to perform at a high level as we move through the outdoor calendar,” he said.
He noted that the meet provides a valuable opportunity for athletes to shake off early-season rust. “Our kids have been putting in the work day in and day out. This meet gives us a chance to start finding our rhythm outdoors. I’m looking forward to seeing that work translate onto the track,” Banks said. He also highlighted the importance of competing in Starkville. “Any time you get to compete in an atmosphere like Starkville, it’s a tremendous experience for our student-athletes. It raises the competitive bar and helps prepare them for the big moments later in the season,” he added.
The Mike Sanders Track Complex, named after former MSU track standout Michael W. Sanders in 2015, has undergone several upgrades over the years. It features nine lanes, a steeplechase water jump, high jump, pole vault, long and triple jump areas, as well as javelin, shot put, hammer, and discus rings. The facility hosted the 2015 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships and other major meets, including the Border Clash and Jace LaCoste Invitational.
Alcorn State’s athletes recently posted strong performances at the Mississippi College Spring Classic on March 7. Joe Coleman won the men’s 200 meters with a time of 21.45 seconds. Sariah Magee finished second in the women’s 100 meters with a time of 11.89 seconds. Myshell Hurse led the women’s 400 meters, clocking in at 55.93 seconds, while teammate Sanaa Parker was third in 56.84 seconds. In field events, Jadan Miller took first in the men’s discus throw at 48.02 meters, and Taylor Brown won the women’s long jump with 5.64 meters. The Braves also secured relay wins in the men’s and women’s 4×100 meters and the women’s 4×400 meters.
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