Bulldogs Lace Up For NCAA Indoor Championships
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Two Mississippi State track and field athletes will compete this weekend at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, freshman James Harris in the high jump and junior D’Angelo Cherry in the 60m dash.
The championships begin Friday at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.
“Ultimately, our goal is to put up points, win nationals, and make All-American,” MSU coach Steve Dudley said. “That is the goal every year and this year is no different.”
Harris started his freshman season on top, as he earned two first-place finishes in his first outing as a Bulldog. Harris won the high jump at the Purple Tiger Invitational and then went on to aid the 4x400m relay team in their win. It was at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships that Harris made the jump that mattered most, jumping 7-4 ½ to qualify for the NCAA Championships and to secure his place atop the MSU All-Time high jump record list.
“For James to be a freshman and step right in and qualify for nationals is impressive. Not too many freshmen do that,” Dudley said.
It was also at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships that Cherry posted his NCAA qualifying time. Cherry ran a 6.54 in the 60m dash to punch his ticket to nationals. Automatically qualifying for Cherry was something special, as the junior was plagued with injury last year, and his return to the track is something coaches have been impressed with all season.
“For Cherry, this is really his first year to get to compete for nationals. He has had some setbacks because of injuries and to see him back on the track and getting this opportunity makes me proud,” Dudley stated.
Cherry will take to the track Friday night at 6:45 pm for the 60m dash preliminary; with the final set to start Saturday at 6:10 pm. Harris is scheduled to make his jump at 4:15 pm on Saturday.