Bulldogs Set To Open 2010 Outdoor Season This Weekend In Florida
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State men's track and field team opens its 2010 season this weekend in Jacksonville, Fla., at the University of North Florida Invitational. The talented young Bulldog squad begins competition Friday at 10 a.m. in the field and at 1:30 p.m. on the track.
"We are going to try to earn qualifying marks at this weekend's meet," head coach Al Schmidt said. "We have a very promising sprint group and are looking forward to a great outdoor season."
MSU is looking to start the season off by setting NCAA regional qualifying marks in its respective events. At this meet last year, the men's team recorded four NCAA regional qualifying marks. Sophomore D'Angelo Cherry was among the qualifiers and is looking to repeat as the meet's 100-meter dash champion.
Talented freshman sprinters Daundre Barnaby and Tavaris Tate are set to open their outdoor careers at State this weekend. Barnaby, a native of Hartford, Conn., won a 2009 National Scholastic 400-meter dash Championship while at Weaver High School.
Tate, of Starkville, Miss., has already made his presence known in the track and field world by qualifying for the IAAF World Indoor Championships as a member of Team USA's 4x400-meter relay team this past weekend.
A limited number of Lady Bulldogs are also set to compete this weekend at the LSU NCAA Qualifier in Baton Rouge Friday. Competition for a last chance to improve upon NCAA Indoor Championship qualifying marks begin at 3:30 p.m. in the LSU Field House.