All-Americans Bringing Hope For Repeat Success At MSU
In addition to his NCAA showing, Ashley was on six winning relay teams lastyear, including the 4x400-meter and sprint medley relay teams at the FSUSnowbird, the 4x100 team at the Bulldog and Jace Lacoste Invitationals, and the4x200 teams that won at the Texas and Penn Relays. He also won individual meettitles at the MSU-hosted Jace Lacoste Invitational in the 100- and 200-meterdashes. At last season's Mideast Regional in Baton Rouge, La., Ashley proceededhis NCAA performance with a second place finish in the 400-meter dash.
As a member of the same 4x4 relay team, Lewis expects to be a driving force forthe team this year. Last season, he was on the winning relay teams in the 4x2(Texas and Penn Relays) and 4x1 (Bulldog and Jace Lacoste Invitationals). Lewis also competed in the long jump at the Mideast Regional, finishing fourthwith a leap of 24-11 1/4. He won individual meet titles in the long jump at theJace Lacoste (25-3 1/4) and the TCU Invitational (25-1 3/4). His jump of 25-31/4 at the Jace Lacoste was a new meet record. Lewis was named SEC Athlete ofthe Week on April 14, 2004, and won the Jace Lacoste Award, named in honor ofMSU's all-SEC decathlete killed in an automobile accident in 1995. He was aselection to the 2003 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Lewis says that he thinks this is the best men's outdoor team for MississippiState some time, and he expects great things out of himself and his teammates.
"I plan to give it my all, including making it to nationals in 4x4 or the400-meter race" said Lewis. "I just want to do whatever the team needs me todo."
MSU Associate Head Coach Steve Dudley believes Lewis has "intelligence,leadership and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help our team."
Davis is a young leader on the team. Also named an all-American in the 4x4, hewas a member of the winning 4x4 team at the FSU Snowbird and 4x1 teams at theBulldog and Jace Lacoste Invitationals. He also runs the 4x200-meter and4x100-meter relays, as well as the 200- and 400-meter dash. The formertwo-time Alabama Runner of the Year has his sights set to make it to nationalsand beat his personal record (46.47) in the 400-meter dash.
"Arthur is all heart and definitely runs his life and races in the samefashion," Dudley said.
Davis also has great expectations for the Bulldog runners this season.
"I think we have a pretty good team," said Davis. "We've put in some hard workduring the fall and we have a lot of mature, older runners and talented, youngrunners. I think we will do well with that combination."
Along with Ashley, Davis and Lewis, State will get experience from juniorcollege all-American Steve Mullings and high school all-Americans Elzie Colemanand Adian Sanderson.
The Bulldog sprinters begin their trek to the 2005 NCAA Championships thisweekend at the FSU Snowbird in Tallahassee, Fla.