MSU Track Teams Face First Big Test at Texas Relays
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Since qualifying for the post-season has changed greatly, the Mississippi State men’s and women’s track teams must get their best marks early. MSU is going to try and do that and much more this week at the 83rd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin.
“When we start an outdoor season we look at four meets that are our primary meets of the year, and it starts with Texas Relays,” head coach Al Schmidt said. “We look at the Texas Relays as the perfect preparation for the SEC and National Championships. It is our chance to put the Mississippi State jersey out there on the national level.”
Both the men’s and women’s 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams are looking to run their fastest times of the year. The Bulldog relay teams have already posted impressive times in the 4x100- (40.36 seconds) and 4x400-meter relays. Last week at the Alabama Relays, the 4x400-meter relay team ran the 7th fastest time in the nation, 3:07.49.
“It’s vital that we do well in the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays on the men’s side because that is the strength of our team,” Schmidt said. “I can’t stress the importance of us running good times in those events now in order to be successful in them later in the season.”
The Lady Bulldogs have run 45.69 seconds in the 4x100 and 3:43.82 in the 4x400 this season.
“It’s very critical this weekend that we focus on individual and relay times in order to get in to the NCAA and solidify ourselves for a chance at a National Championship,” Schmidt said.
Wendy Copeland, Talisha Lee and Emanuel Mayers also look to have a notable showing this weekend in individual events. Copeland, who holds the 6th longest jump in the nation right now, is looking to improve upon her best of the season, while both Lee and Mayers are set to compete in the 400-meter hurdles. Mayers season-best time 50.86 seconds ins currently the 4th fastest in the country.
Competition begins on Wednesday at Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium on the University of Texas’ campus.
In addition to the Texas Relays, MSU is sending a small group of its team to compete at the Tiger Track Classic of Friday and Saturday. State will compete in the throwing and sprinting events in Auburn.
“When we start an outdoor season we look at four meets that are our primary meets of the year, and it starts with Texas Relays,” head coach Al Schmidt said. “We look at the Texas Relays as the perfect preparation for the SEC and National Championships. It is our chance to put the Mississippi State jersey out there on the national level.”
Both the men’s and women’s 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams are looking to run their fastest times of the year. The Bulldog relay teams have already posted impressive times in the 4x100- (40.36 seconds) and 4x400-meter relays. Last week at the Alabama Relays, the 4x400-meter relay team ran the 7th fastest time in the nation, 3:07.49.
“It’s vital that we do well in the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays on the men’s side because that is the strength of our team,” Schmidt said. “I can’t stress the importance of us running good times in those events now in order to be successful in them later in the season.”
The Lady Bulldogs have run 45.69 seconds in the 4x100 and 3:43.82 in the 4x400 this season.
“It’s very critical this weekend that we focus on individual and relay times in order to get in to the NCAA and solidify ourselves for a chance at a National Championship,” Schmidt said.
Wendy Copeland, Talisha Lee and Emanuel Mayers also look to have a notable showing this weekend in individual events. Copeland, who holds the 6th longest jump in the nation right now, is looking to improve upon her best of the season, while both Lee and Mayers are set to compete in the 400-meter hurdles. Mayers season-best time 50.86 seconds ins currently the 4th fastest in the country.
Competition begins on Wednesday at Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium on the University of Texas’ campus.
In addition to the Texas Relays, MSU is sending a small group of its team to compete at the Tiger Track Classic of Friday and Saturday. State will compete in the throwing and sprinting events in Auburn.