Mississippi State
Samford Multi Invitational (I)
Taylor Claims Heptathlon Win At Samford Multi Invite
January 21, 2016 | Track & Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Closing out the Samford Multi Invitational on Thursday, junior Zachary Taylor captured first place in the heptathlon after scoring a personal-best 5,029 points.
“Going into this meet I knew I had a lot of rust on my shoulders that I had to get off,” Taylor said. “Coming out on top is a big confidence booster for the rest of the season, but there is still much work to be done.”
In the 60m hurdles Taylor ran a personal-best time of 8.69 to earn 816 points before clearing 14-03.25 in the pole vault to claim second in the event scoring 716 points. To claim the overall victory, Taylor clocked a time of 2:55.29 in the 1000m run to score 711 points.
Completing his first heptathlon at MSU, sophomore Willie Reed started day two with a first-place finish in the 60m hurdles. Reed clocked a time of 8.64 to gain 827 points. Finishing 12th in the pole vault, Reed cleared 10-00 to score 369 points before recording a time of 3:02.33 in the 1000m run to earn 642 points. Reed finished third in the heptathlon after scoring 4,739 points.
Capturing sixth place in the heptathlon was junior Jaquarius Wilson after scoring 4,622 points. To begin day two of the meet, Wilson ran a time of 8.66 in the 60m hurdles to score 823 points before placing sixth in the pole vault after clearing 12-07.50. Wilson concluded the heptathlon with a time of 2:53.97 in the 1000m run earning 725 points.
Finishing immediately behind Wilson in seventh was teammate Jesse Austin after scoring a personal-best 4,599 points in the event. Placing fifth in the 60m hurdles, Austin clocked a personal-best time of 8.77. With another personal-best, Austin went on to finish first in the pole vault where he cleared 15-03. He ran a time of 3:03.38 to finish 12th in the 1000m run earning 632 points to capture his overall seventh-place finish.
Concluding his first multi meet with MSU, freshman Gralyn Jones scored 4,239 points to capture 11th place in the heptathlon. The Brandon, Miss., native ran a time of 8.92 in the 60m hurdles. He went on toe clear 10-04 in the pole vault and ran a time of 3:03.71 in the 1000m run.
With the conclusion of the Samford Multi Invitational, MSU will immediately turn its attention toward the Conference Challenge taking place Jan. 22 and 23.
Kicking action off at the meet will be senior Seth Peace in the high jump at 2 p.m. CT on Friday. Also in the field for the Maroon and White on Friday will be Tiffany Flynn in the triple jump, Sydney Rodkey in the pole vault and Haley Reynolds and Brianna Smith in the weight throw.
Freshman Leah Lott and Zaria Tillman will be up first on the track in the 60m dash followed by Jerome Bazille, Lawrence Crawford, Rodrigo Rocha, Ro'Derick Spears and Charles Taylor in the same event with hopes of making Saturday's finals.
Spears, Flynn, Lott, Tillman and senior Ste'yce McNeil will all be competing in the 60m hurdles with the conclusion of the 60m dash.
Distance runner Curtis Kelly will see his first track and field action of the year as he is set to compete in the 5000m run. Bazille, Rocha, Charles Taylor, Juston Waters and Vince Castillo will all be competing in the 200m run prior to the distance medley relay.
For more information on the MSU track and field teams visit HailState.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@HailStateTF).
Results
Heptathlon: Zachary Taylor, 5,029 points
MSU: 3. Willie Reed, 4,739 points; 6. Jaquarius Wilson, 4,622; 7. Jesse Austin, 4,599; 11. Gralyn Jones, 4,239
Heptathlon 60mH: Willie Reed, 8.64
MSU: 3. Jaquarius Wilson, 8.66; 4. Zachary Taylor, 8.69; 5. Jesse Austin, 8.77; 7. Gralyn Jones, 8.92
Heptathlon Pole Vault: Jesse Austin, 15-03 (4.65m)
MSU: 2. Zachary Taylor, 14-03.25 (4.35m); 6. Jaquarius Wilson, 12-07.50 (3.85m); 11. Gralyn Jones, 10-04 (3.15m); 12. Willie Reed, 10-00 (3.05m)
Heptathlon 1000m Run: Tyji Yulee, Stephen F. Austin, 2:46.01
MSU: 5. Jaquarius Wilson, 2:53.97; 7. Zachary Taylor, 2:55.29; 11. Willie Reed, 3:02.33; 12. Jesse Austin, 3:03.38; 13. Gralyn Jones, 3:03.71
