Two Bulldogs Qualify For Final Rounds At USATF Indoor Championships
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Bulldog sprinters D'Angelo Cherry and Tavaris Tate gave stellar performances at the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday to qualify for Sunday's final in the 60- and 400-meter dashes.
"Both D'Angelo and Tavaris are incredible sprinters," MSU head coach Al Schmidt said. "They are having a fantastic weekend against the top sprinters in the country."
Tate matched his MSU indoor record 400-meter dash time to finish as the events leading qualifier. The exceptional freshman, a native of Starkville, Miss., ran 45.89 seconds to lead a field that featured US Olympians.
"Tavaris is a very talented young 400 (meter dash) runner," Schmidt said. "He is only going to get better and better this year."
Cherry, who set a USA Junior record at this meet last year, ran 6.56 seconds in the 60-meter dash, and earned a spot in the finals amongst the fastest in the nation.
"D'Angelo has definitely put his name in the conversation for the fastest in the SEC with the performance he gave," Schmidt added.
Sunday's finals will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 6 p.m. Both Cherry and Tate are competing for a chance to compete at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha, March 12-14.
Saturday Results
Men's 60-Meter Dash Prelim Leader: Trell Kimmons, 6.56, Adidas
MSU: 11. D'Angelo Cherry, 6.67
Men's 400-Meter Dash Prelim Leader: Tavaris Tate, 45.89, MSU