Bulldog Sprinters Highlight Second Day Of Penn Relays
MSU's 4x200- and 4x400-meter relay teams post fastest qualifying times
PHILADELPHIA ?€“ The Mississippi State University men's outdoor track and fieldsquad took center stage at the 111th Penn Relay Carnival on Friday by postingthe top qualifying times in two relays. The event is being held at FranklinField on the University of Pennsylvania campus.
"We're happy with today's performances," said MSU head coach Al Schmidt. "It'sbig day tomorrow. Our guys could be running on national television. Hopefully,we'll have a good day."
Junior Steve Mullings and all-Americans senior Jamel Ashley, sophomore ArthurDavis and senior LaChristopher Lewis won their heat of the 4x200-meter relay,which is not an NCAA event, in 1:21.31. The mark is the second fastest time inschool history. The 4x200 Championship of America relay is scheduled for 1:50p.m. CDT.
In the 4x400-meter relay, Ashley, Davis, freshman Elzie Coleman and Lewis ran aregional qualifying and season best 3:05.16. The 4x400 Championship of Americarelay is set for 4:30 p.m. CDT.
On Saturday, NBC is scheduled to air coverage of the event from 3-5 p.m. CDT.
In addition to the two wins, the Bulldogs posted four other top 10 finishes onthe day. Davis, Ashley, Mullings and Lewis finished eighth in the 4x100-meterrelay preliminaries (40.92). They will run in the College Men's 4x100-meterrelay at 12:20 p.m. CDT on Saturday.
In field events, senior Matt Denton tied for seventh in the high jump with aleap of 6-8 3/4. Freshman Tim Williams set a new personal record with his 6-83/4 clearing, placing him ninth. In the long jump, junior Kendall Pyant IIfinished fourth (23-10 3/4).
State's women competed in the sprint medley relay on day two, as well.
Collegiate action resumes Saturday at noon CDT. Live Results are available via alink at www.mstateathletics.com.