MSU Track & Field Sets Sights On NCAA East Regional
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Al Schmidt was more than pleased with how his men's and women's track teams performed at the SEC Outdoor Championships nearly two weeks ago at the University of Tennessee.
After all, the Bulldogs departed Knoxville with some highly-coveted hardware.
However, Schmidt prefers to live in the present. And for the 22nd year Mississippi State coach, the present is the NCAA Division I Outdoor East Region in Greensboro, N.C., hosted by North Carolina A&T at Aggie Stadium.
Competition begins at 1 p.m. on Thursday with the qualifying round of the long jump and concludes at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday with the women's 4x400.
"We had a great run at the SECs, but it's time to refocus our efforts," said Schmidt, whose men's squad is currently ranked No. 13 in the nation. "Our kids understand they can't sleepwalk through this. There's now a new level of urgency."
And little room for error.
With the new format implemented this year, there are two regions, East and West. And from each region, only the top 12 performers in each event advance to the nationals, slated for June 9-12 in Eugene, Ore.
"It's the Big Dance for Track & Field now, like basketball," Schmidt said. "To get to the next round, you've got to be at your best."
The Bulldogs have certainly proven they're an elite program on the national scene, thanks in large part to a solid mix of veterans and newcomers that began to gel at the prestigious Penn Relays.
In fact, it was that type of combination that led to a 7th-place finish at the SECs two weeks ago, as All-American junior standout Emanuel Mayers recorded a team-high 14 points for the Bulldogs, while freshman sensation Tavarus Tate totaled 12.5.
Credit versatility, as they've excelled in both individual events as well as the relays.
Without question, they've been instrumental in the success of 4x400-meter relay team, considered one of the best in the nation. And now, that reputation will truly be put to test these next few weeks.
"Even with all that Tavarus has accomplished in the world, this is still the NCAAs, and with that comes some nervousness," Schmidt said. "But the veterans are there for advice and encouragement."
Mayers has also established himself in the 400m hurdles, where he currently ranks 6th nationally.
Then there's the 400m, where it's highly likely Tate, Dwight Mullings and O'Neal Wilder could all advance as all three are ranked in the Top 10.
And at the same time, it's the speed of the 4x100 relay team that's turned heads. Ranked 4th nationally, the foursome of Justin Christian, Kendall May, Mullings and Tate posted a blazing time of 39.08 en route to claiming top honors at the SEC.
"Competing in the SEC prepares you for this," Schmidt said. "You look at the Top 25 and you see eight SEC teams. That's about as tough as it gets."
The same can also be said for the women.
Competing in a league with four ranked teams, the Lady Bulldogs are competing in six events, and that doesn't count the heptathlon, which doesn't compete in the regional format.
And like their male counterparts, there's also a good mix of veterans and newcomers.
Freshman Jody-Ann Muir has established herself as one of the top 400m participants after finishing third at the SECs with a freshman school-record time of 52.79. Also looking to leave a mark is senior Wendy Copeland in the long jump.
Muir is also a key cog in the 4x400 team, which features LaQuinta Aaron, Taneisha Baker and Crystal Wilson.
And although Aaron doesn't have to compete in the heptathlon this week, she punched her ticket to the nationals after collecting a career-best 5,563 points at the SECs, the second-most points in school history.
"We've asked a lot of these girls all year," Schmidt said. "And they've delivered every time. But, they're not satisfied. They know there is still a lot left to accomplish."
Men's Participation
100m
Kendall May
200m
Garren Hendricks
Kendall May
400m
Dwight Mullings
Tavaris Tate
O'Neal Wilder
400m Hurdles
Emanuel Mayers
4x100
Christian, Mullings, Tate, Hendricks, May
4x400
Wilder, Mayers, Mullings, Tate, Hendricks
Triple Jump
Kendrick Poullard
Women's Participation
200m
Taneisha Baker
400m
Jody-Ann Muir
Crystal Wilson
100m High Hurdles
LaQuinta Aaron
Racquel Farquharson
Keisha Wallace
4x400
Aaron, Baker, Wilson, Muir, Wallace
High Jump
Jessica Merriweather
Long Jump
Wendy Copeland