McPherson Takes Fourth In Mile Run On Final Day Of SEC Championships
Distance medley relay finishes fifth
GAINESVILLE, Fla. ?€“ Mississippi State University senior Jen McPhersonran the mile run in 4 minutes, 52.99 seconds to finish fourth in theevent on the final day of the 2006 Southeastern Conference Indoor Trackand Field Championships at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. State'sdistance medley relay squad of McPherson, freshman Antrese Banks,sophomore Andrea Wahlin and senior Zita Magloire ran 11:43.77 to finishfifth and post the fourth-best time in school history.
There's next year, said MSU head coach Al Schmidt. We're not a goodindoor team just yet. We'll get it done though.
In the 4x400-meter relay, Banks, freshman Gabrielle Dillon, freshmanMarrissa Banks and senior Lauren Johnson ran a season-best 3:59.21 tofinish 10th. Freshman Janelle Finley leaped 38-09 in the long jump. Themark is a personal best for the Mobile, Ala. native and ranks thirdall-time on the MSU superlatives list in the event. Freshman EmilySanders (51-03 ½) and junior Christina Hernandez (47-05) competed inthe 20-lb. weight throw on the final day, as well.
As a team, the Lady Bulldogs finished 11th with 13 points. Georgia beatout Auburn 101.5 to 96 to take the conference title. South Carolina andTennessee tied for third with 78.5 points each. Arkansas (73), Alabama(70.5), LSU (62.5), Florida (45.5), Kentucky (26) and Mississippi (16)rounded out the top 10 teams. MSU finished ahead of 12th-placeVanderbilt, who had two points.
The Lady Bulldogs begin the outdoor season March 16-19 at the AlabamaRelays in Tuscaloosa. The men's squad begins outdoor competition nextweekend, March 3-4, at the Florida State-hosted FSU Snowbird inTallahassee.