Conferences Split Victories At SEC/BIG TEN Challenge

Friday, March 23

Starkville

All Day

Mississippi State

SEC/Big Ten Challenge (O)

Conferences Split Victories At SEC/BIG TEN Challenge

March 24, 2012 | Track & Field

By: hailstate.com

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Both conferences walked away with wins as action wrapped at the second annual SEC/Big Ten Challenge.

On the women's side it was the SEC taking the crown with 390 points to the Big Ten's 323 points, while roles were reversed on the men's side, as the Big Ten defended their title by collecting 400.5 points to 314.4 obtained by the SEC.

"We competed hard today," coach Steve Dudley said. "All around I am proud of the effort our athletes gave. We were in the mix in nearly every event and that is what you ask for in the these types of events."

Favian Cowards started things off for Mississippi State as she claimed the first victory of the meet with her throw of 181-04. Following Cowards was Keisha Wallace in the 100-meter hurdles. Wallace, who currently holds the best collegiate time in the nation, took first with a time of 13.51.

The Lady Bulldogs also picked up a host of Top 5 finishes, starting with a pair of second place finishes by Jody-Ann Muir in the 400-meter dash (54.21) and Brittany Covington in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.77. Ocian Archer was close on the heels of Covington as she finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:01.44. Renee Masterson then picked up a fourth place finish in the 3000-meter run (10:10.24), while Erica Bougard was third in the 100-meter hurdles (13.96) and Alyssa Hall finished third in the high jump with a height of 5-08. Rounding out the Top Fives were Bougard (19-00) and Wallace (18-11.75) who took third and fourth in the long jump, and Ebony Brinker who was fourth in the triple jump (38-00.75).

Closing out the Top 5 finishes for the Maroon and White women were the relay teams. The 4x100-meter squad of Racquel Farquharson, Wallace, Bougard and Muir finished second with a time of 45.66, while the 4x400-meter foursome of Archer, Bougard, Kanishia Carey and Muir also finished second with their time of 3:39.98.

The Bulldogs had an impressive day as they had posted seven victories by the time action ceased. Jarrett Samuels, who currently holds the nation's top collegiate length, picked up the first Maroon and White victory as he jumped 25-04.50 to post a MSU freshman record and to move to fifth on the MSU all-time list in the long jump. Jason Harper was next as he had a winning triple jump length of 49-01.50. MSU then picked up a pair of victories in the hurdles as Emanuel Mayers crossed the line first in the 400-meter hurdles (50.68) ahead of Nathan Arnett who finished third (51.69). Roles were reversed in the 110-meter hurdles as this time was Arnett (14.01) finishing first ahead of Mayers who was second with a time of 14.14. Tavaris Tate stepped up next, as he claimed victory in the 400-meter dash with a time of 46.07.

After claiming victory in the 400-meter dash, Tate joined teammates D'Angelo Cherry, James Harris and Justin Christian to finish first in the 4x100-meter relay (40.00). Tate then went on to anchor the winning 4x400-meter squad (3:09.09) with teammates Mayers, Randy Patterson and Daundre Barnaby.

Cherry led the way for the Bulldog Top 5 finishes as he was second in the 100-meter dash (10:32), while his relay teammate Harris was fifth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.08. Continuing the trend of top finishes was Steve Shoto who posted a runner-up time of 1:53.02 in the 800-meter run and Cameron Vernier who was fifth in the 3000-meter run (8:21.75). Shoto and Vernier's fellow distance runners John Valentine (9:30.98) and Bobby McIllece (9:39.65) then finished back to back in the 3000-meter steeplechase at fourth and fifth respectively. A trio of field athletes rounded out the Bulldog Top Fives as Marcus Jackson was second in the high jump (7-01), Ed Wesela was second in the shot put with a distance of 58-10 and Patrick Johnson was fifth in the pole vault (15-07).

Next on the schedule for MSU is a trip to Austin for the Texas Relays on March 28-31.

Women's Results

Hammer: SEC

Javelin: Big Ten

Long Jump: SEC

Shot Put: SEC

Pole Vault: Big Ten

Triple Jump: SEC

High Jump: Big Ten

Discus: SEC

3000m Steeplechase: Big Ten

4x100m Relay: SEC