Vicksburg's Cassell Joins MSU Track And Field Team
"Allen's a good high jumper that we feel will be a great high jumper with the level of competition he'll face in the SEC," Dudley said. "He will help our program to continue to improve in the field events."
The Porter's Chapel Academy graduate is the current overall and Academy Class A Mississippi Private Schools Association (MPSA) champion in the high jump. The 6-6 clearing was a state meet record. Cassell won the state title previously in 2004 at PCA and in 2002 while attending Chamberlain Hunt School in Port Gibson, Miss. His personal best is 6-8, cleared at the 2004 South State.
Cassell also holds the North State record (6-6). He was named to the all-District team this past season and the Most Valuable Player of the track and field team all three seasons at PCA. Cassell participated in the 2004 Junior Olympics.
"I'm really excited to be coming to Mississippi State," Cassell said. "There's no other place I want to be. I'm anxious to get there and work hard and reach my full potential. I'm looking forward to great things."
He also played football, soccer, basketball and baseball. In 2003, he was a member of the state championship baseball team and named all-District and all-North State in soccer in 2004.
Outside of athletics, Cassell was senior class president, president of the Key Club, secretary of the Student Council, named Most Athletic, Mr. Porter's Chapel Academy and the Prom King. During his senior season, he completed over 60 hours of community service work.
The son of Becki Dunn and Jimmy Cassell plans to major in pre-pharmacy at State.