The Mississippi Valley State University track and field team delivered its strongest showing of the season Saturday at the Southern Miss Invitational at the USM Track & Field Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, according to the school’s athletics department.
On the men’s side, several athletes posted personal bests. Bernardo McGraw finished fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:52.61, while Timothy Rotich placed eighth in the 1,500 meters in 4:14.11. Amandalo Kane set a personal best in the 800 meters with a time of 2:15.39, and McGraw also achieved his best in the 1,500 meters. Allen Jenkins tied McGraw for fifth in the long jump with a mark of 6.84 meters, a personal record. Jusden Culpepper recorded a lifetime-best triple jump of 13.39 meters.
In the 100 meters, all six participants set personal records, including Khalon Christie (10.87 seconds), John Eubanks (11.06), D’Lano Blevins (11.21), Lanauda Westmoreland (11.34), Joey Davis (11.55), and Justus Snapp (11.69). Christie also recorded a personal best in the 200 meters at 22.14 seconds. Other notable performances included Jadarius Townes’ javelin throw of 39.06 meters and discus throw of 38.66 meters, as well as Culpepper’s long jump of 5.94 meters.
On the women’s side, Cayden Fluellen scored by finishing eighth in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:08.05. Several athletes posted personal bests, including Senyce Rene in the 100 meters (12.45 seconds), Jasmine Mackey in the 400 meters (1:00.70), Janet Cheboi in the 3,000 meters (12:43.05), and Nyla Snead in the 100-meter hurdles (15.10). Yvelisse Zamora recorded a personal best in the discus with a throw of 23.17 meters.
The team will compete next at the Pelican Relays on April 10-11 at Southern University. Fans can follow the Delta Devils’ cross country and track programs on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, using the handles @ValleyStateTFXC, @ValleyStateTFXC, and Valley State Athletics, respectively.
