MSU Track Team To Open Outdoor Campaign At FSU Snowbird
The Lady Bulldogs finished up the indoor season last weekend at the Southeastern Conference Championships in Lexington, Ky., while the Bulldogs will take to the competition track for the first time this season. Field events are slated to begin at 9 a.m. CT with the women's hammer throw. Running events will begin at 4 p.m. CT on the Mike Long Track.
On the heels of a seventh-place finish in the 4x400-meter relay at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor National Championships, the MSU quartet of Arthur Davis, Bruce Davis, Ezra Jones and Nathan Daniels returns for 2007 in hopes of improving on the '06 accomplishments. The relay team earned all-American status for its finish at the national championships. A. Davis garnered his third all-American honor during his junior season and will be striding for his fourth this season. If the Mobile, Ala.-native can achieve the feat, he would become just the second MSU track and field athlete to earn all-American honors in all four seasons at State. The only other individual to complete that honor was Lorenzo Daniel (1985-88).
One of the most senior-laden groups in 2007 will be the distance competitors. The 2007 class was the first class assembled at MSU since the revival of the men's cross country program in 2003. The squad was led by senior Travis McKay, who finished his cross country career atop the school's all-time top 10 finishes list with six.
One of the deepest areas of the women's team this season is the collection of distance athletes. The Lady Bulldogs feature five seniors with an abundance of experience to push the younger individuals. Leading the way for MState this season will be senior Jen McPherson. She enters her final season in Maroon and White as one of only three MSU women to have competed in all three NCAA Championships - Indoor, Outdoor and Cross Country. She completed the sweep of championships this past fall by earning a spot in the 2006 edition of the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. s country career atop the school's all-time top 10 finishes list with six.
A talented group of freshmen mixed in with some veterans comprise the sprints and middle distance competitions. Sophomores Antrese Banks and Gabrielle Dillon contributed immensely as freshmen during 2006. Banks, a Gloster, Miss. product participated in the 200 and 400-meter dashes as a rookie.
Live results from the meet will be posted on www.Seminoles.com.