Mississippi State Track & Field Completes Successful 2026 Season
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State’s track and field team concluded its 2026 season with a series of record-breaking achievements and NCAA appearances, according to the school’s athletics department.
Head coach Chris Woods praised the team’s progress, noting significant strides, especially on the women’s side. He credited the athletes’ dedication since September for their success in June.
The Bulldogs set 12 program records, including five freshman marks, and had 35 entries on the school’s all-time top-five lists across indoor and outdoor events. Roury McCloyen became the first in program history to earn an NCAA Indoor All-American honor after securing second-team recognition at nationals in the shot put. He also earned a bronze medal at the SEC Championships and helped the team secure a second-team All-American nod at nationals.
During the outdoor season, the team competed in six meets across the SEC and the South region, aiming to qualify for the NCAA East First Round. Sophomore Marie Rougetet and senior Sacha Rifflart won SEC titles in the hammer and decathlon, respectively. Rougetet made history as the first hammer champion for Mississippi State and the first SEC champion for the program since 2018.
At the NCAA championships in Lexington, 23 athletes and three relays represented the Bulldogs. Notable performances included Ife Adisa running the fastest women’s 800 meters in Nigerian history and nearly qualifying for nationals, and the men’s 4×100 relay earning its first All-American honor since 2009. Khalil Antoine became the first All-American in high jump for MSU in over a decade.
Overall, 12 athletes returned to Starkville as All-Americans, with six earning first-team honors. Woods highlighted that both men’s and women’s teams scored at the NCAA meet for the first time since 2019, signaling positive momentum heading into the 2027 season.
School officials emphasized the team’s achievements and the promising outlook for the future of Mississippi State track and field.
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