Ole Miss Track & Field Athletes Burnett, Compere Advance at NCAA East Regional

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Ole Miss women’s track and field team saw two athletes advance to the NCAA East Regional quarterfinals on Thursday, with standout performances in the short sprints. Freshman Patchnalie Compere posted a personal-best time in the 200-meter dash, while senior Alicia Burnett secured her spot in the 100-meter dash.

Burnett won her heat in the 100-meter first round with a time of 11.24 seconds, earning an automatic bid to Saturday’s quarterfinals, according to the university. Compere finished second in her heat in the 200-meter dash with a new personal best of 22.73 seconds, breaking her own Haitian national record and Ole Miss freshman record. She also improved her position to No. 3 in school history outdoors, qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Compere’s performances marked a significant milestone, and she aims to become the first Ole Miss freshman to qualify in the 200 meters since Jayda Eckford in 2019. Earlier in the day, Ole Miss nearly added to its national tally in the hammer throw, but junior Skylar Soli narrowly missed qualifying after a season-best throw of 62.02 meters (203 feet, 6 inches). She was edged out by Auburn’s Norah Lind by just two centimeters.

Other Rebels competing on Thursday included seniors Loral Winn and Sophie Baumann in the 1500 meters, and pole vaulters Mary Cate Doughty and Lily Beattie. Lizzie Hatton competed in the long jump, while Temidayo Owoyemi participated in the shot put, and Nyah Edwards threw in the hammer. The Ole Miss men will compete Friday, with 10 athletes attempting to qualify for the NCAA finals in Oregon.

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