First SEC/Big Ten Challenge Concludes

Saturday, March 26

Starkville

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Mississippi State

SEC/Big 10 Challenge (O)

First SEC/Big Ten Challenge Concludes

March 26, 2011 | Track & Field

By: hailstate.com

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Action has wrapped at the SEC/Big Ten Challenge, and at the end of the day it was the Big Ten winning both the men's and women's competition. On the women's side, the Big Ten secured victory with 379 points to the SEC's 349, while the Big Ten men posted 399 points to the 337 obtained by the SEC.

Ohio State led the way for the Big Ten women with 123, followed by Indiana with 102.50. Purdue was next with 89, while Illinois rounded out the quartet with 64.50. For the SEC, it was Mississippi State leading the way with 142.50, also the highest team score on the day. Mississippi was second with 93, followed by Georgia and Auburn with 64.50 and 49, respectively.

For the Big Ten men, it was again Ohio State leading the way with 117 points, followed by Indiana (112), Purdue (92), and Illinois (78). Mississippi State again led the way for the SEC with 116 points, with Mississippi next at 109. Auburn closed their day of men's competition with a total of 66 points, followed by Georgia with 46.

State's Lady Bulldogs were led by senior Richesa McCaleb who won the 100m dash (11.80) and was runner-up in the 200m (23.56). Sophomore Haley Greenwell had an impressive day, winning the 3000m run in 9:56.38, as did freshman Rochelle Farquharson who placed second in both the triple jump (41-05 ¾) and long jump (19-06 ¼). Also posting second place finishes were sophomore Chloe Phillips in the 1500m run (4:33.74) and the 4x400m relay team of senior Taneisha Baker, sophomore Brittany Covington, sophomore Jody-Ann Muir, and McCaleb.

Senior Emanuel Mayers led the way for the Bulldogs with a first-place finish in the 400m hurdles (52.82) and fourth place in the 110m hurdles (14.31). Sophomore Tavaris Tate also had an impressive day as he placed second in the 400m dash (46.61) and third in the 200m dash (20.87). Freshman James Harris continued his dominance in the high jump placing second (7-03 ¾) behind the NCAA Indoor Champion Derek Drouin of Indiana. MSU junior Ed Wesela posted a second-place finish with his shot put throw of 55-05 ½. The 4x400m relay team of Harris, junior O'Neal Wilder, sophomore Daundre Barnaby, and Tate, closed the day for the Bulldogs as they brought the entire crowd to its feet and got the cowbells ringing with their winning time of 3:05.24.

"I'm extremely proud of the way our kids competed today," MSU head coach Steve Dudley stated. "Richesa had a huge day. She is getting better and better with every meet. The men's short hurdles went well, we won the long hurdles, so obviously we got some things done and I thought we competed really, really well. James (Harris) jumping 7-03 plus solidified him even further as a national competitor. We may not have won as a conference, but I think just pulling Mississippi State out and examining them, it was a good day and a good meet.

"The crowd was unbelievable today," Dudley continued. "People got excited and that really helps motivate these athletes. There were times where you couldn't even see the fence line. There was a person in every spot all the way around, plus people in the stands. That was huge. Our kids love that, and it pushes them to give it their all."

The Maroon and White will return to action on Friday, April 1^st, as they host the Bulldog Twilight Invitational.

Women's Results

Hammer Throw
Ohio State

Javelin
Purdue

Long Jump
Purdue

Shot Put
Indiana

Pole Vault
Indiana

Triple Jump
Mississippi

High Jump
Auburn

Discus
Mississippi

3000 Steeplechase
Ohio State

4x100m Relay
Auburn