Ole Miss Track & Field Opens at Clemson’s Bob Pollock Invitational

CLEMSON, S.C. — Ole Miss men’s and women’s track and field teams opened competition at Clemson’s Bob Pollock Invitational on Friday, earning a victory in the women’s weight throw and posting several career-best performances.

Junior Akaoma Odeluga led the women’s weight throw with a winning mark of 21.65 meters (71-00.50), her final effort of the competition. Fellow junior Skylar Soli finished second with a throw of 21.08 meters (69-02). Freshman Natalie Brown set a two-foot personal record with a throw of 19.43 meters (63-09), which moved her into 13th in Ole Miss history. Naomi Woolfolk also improved her best to 19.18 meters (62-11.75), placing fifth and ranking 14th on the school’s all-time list.

On the men’s side, Ole Miss dominated with all three finalists in the weight throw. Senior Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan recorded a toss of 23.43 meters (76-10.50), finishing behind professional Isaiah Rogers. Senior Bryson Smith marked a career high with a 22.24-meter (72-11.75) throw, moving into 11th in NCAA rankings and second in Ole Miss history for the event. Mason Hickel finished seventh with a throw of 21.18 meters (69-06).

The Ole Miss women’s pole vaulters had a strong showing in the seeded section. Sophomore Lily Beattie cleared 4.12 meters (13-06.25), finishing third, and narrowly missed 4.22 meters (13-10). Juniors Mary Cate Doughty and Aly Francolini both set season bests, while transfer Rachel Homoly tied for sixth with a clearance of 3.97 meters (13-00.25), ranking 13th in school history indoors.

On the track, sophomore Jordan Urrutia opened his season with a 46.63-second performance in the 400-meter dash, his career best and the fourth fastest indoor time in Ole Miss history, ranking 21st nationally. In the men’s mile, junior Evan Thornton-Sherman narrowly missed breaking four minutes, clocking 4:00.27 to place sixth and move to 14th on Ole Miss’s all-time list. Several other Rebels posted strong times, including PRs from Kidus Misgina, Gabe Scales, John Shoemaker, and Zack Gilbertson.

In the sprints, junior Royanah Farmer led Ole Miss in the women’s 60-meter dash preliminaries with a PR of 7.31 seconds, tying her for sixth in school history. Freshman Patchnalie Compere set a Haitian national record with a time of 7.48 seconds. On the men’s side, Dekell Minor and Tarique Wright advanced to the semifinals, with Minor posting a career-best 6.71 seconds, tying for sixth in school history.

Competition resumes Saturday at 9 a.m. CT with the women’s pole vault open section.

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