Harris Earns SEC Freshman of the Week Honors
STARKVILLE, Miss – James Harris of Mississippi State was named the SEC Male Freshman of the Week on Tuesday following his outstanding performance at the SEC/Big Ten Challenge Saturday.
Fresh off being named an Indoor All-American, Harris continued his dominance in the high jump, setting a personal record (7-03 ¾) and finishing just behind the NCAA Indoor Champion Derek Drouin of Indiana on Saturday.
“It is surreal to be named SEC Freshman of the Week,” Harris said. “I have always heard about it and wanted to win it. Winning it this early in the season just shows me what I am capable of, and that if I work hard I can be great.”
Following his performance in the high jump, Harris was on the 4x400m relay team, starting off the race and building a one second lead in his leg to help the team on to victory and to the third fastest national relay time this year (3:05.24).
“It was really exciting competing at the SEC/Big Ten Challenge,” Harris stated. “It was the first home meet in four years, so getting to compete in front of family and friends was special. Competing was all that was on my mind, because I wanted to represent well in front of them.”
Harris is an all-around track and field athlete, as he has posted top times in three different events, the highest of which comes in the high jump, Harris’ premiere event, where he is in a three way tie at second in the nation. The Bulldog also competes in the 200m dash, where he has posted the 11th fastest time in the nation, and as mentioned earlier Harris was a member of the 4x400m relay team that posted the third fastest national time.
“I am extremely proud of James,” MSU head coach Steve Dudley commented. “There is an unbelievable number of great athletes in the SEC, so for him to be named Freshman of the Week is a big accomplishment.”
Harris will get another chance to compete in front of his family and friends as MSU is at home this weekend for the Twilight Invitational on April 1.