Lewis Captures Long Jump Title On Day Three Of SEC Championships
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. ?€“?€“ Despite a three hour severe weather delay, field events resumed at the 2005 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday. While other athletes competed in their respective events, MSU senior LaChristopher Lewis waited a little longer for his turn in the men's long jump. The wait obviously did not affect the all-American as Lewis leaped a regional qualifying 25-1 1/4 to win the SEC title.
"Everyone came through for us today," said MSU head coach Al Schmidt. "They did great. You have to feel good about our chances tomorrow. We have lots of points to get."
Junior Steve Mullings, the NCAA leader in the 100-meter dash, left little to be discussed with his top-qualifying time of 10.18 seconds. The regional qualifying mark ties the Vanderbilt Track record set by Mardy Scales (MTSU) last season.
In the 400-meter dash, senior all-American Jamel Ashley ran the fourth fastest qualifying time in 46.35, while sophomore all-American Arthur Davis will start the final in the seventh lane after finishing third in his heat with a time of 46.32.
Junior Kendall Pyant II finished sixth in the long jump with a season-best and regional qualifying 24-6 1/2.
Sophomore Travis McKay brought in two points for the Bulldogs, turning in a seventh-place showing in the 3000-meter steeplechase. McKay's 8:59.26 is a personal record for the Edmonton, Alberta-native and the third fastest time in school history.
The Bulldogs' first team points came from senior Matt Denton and freshman Tim Williams in the high jump. Both competitors cleared a regionally-qualifying 6-10 3/4 to finish fourth and fifth, respectively.
Heading into Sunday, the Bulldogs sit in fifth place with 24 points.
Freshmen Austin Golding and Joseph Queen were slated to compete in the men's pole vault but due to the inclement weather, the event was postponed until Sunday at noon.
Junior Meggan Hodge took eighth in the 3000-meter steeplechase, picking up one point for the Lady Bulldogs. Her 10:46.04 breaks her previous school record of 10:50.44 set earlier in the season. In the high jump, junior Jasmine Walls finished tied for second by clearing 5-7.
In the women's discus, sophomore Christina Hernandez finished eighth with apersonal best 152-7. The mark ranks second on MSU's all-Time Superlatives list.Senior Crystal Averitt finished one place shy of scoring points. Averitt tookninth with a throw of 152-1.
Freshman Alexandra Rozefort competed in the long jump at her first SEC Championships. Rozefort's leap of 19-0 3/4 (w+) would have been a personal record had it not been for the 5.9 wind speed.
State's women closed out day three with nine points, good enough for 10th place.