PITTSBURG, Kan. — It was a successful outing for Mississippi College Track and Field at the Crimson and Gold Classic. The Choctaws came away with two more NCAA Division II Provisional marks, totaling three so far this season, as well as another 11 performances added to the Top-10 all time event lists.
MEET INFORMATION:
Event: Crimson & Gold Classic
Date: 12/09/23
Host: Pittsburg State University
Site: Pittsburg St-Robert W. Plaster Center - Pittsburg, KS
Full Results: 2023 Crimson & Gold Classic
MEET RECAP:
Leading the way was Mississippi College freshmen Grayson Foster. The freshman phenom stopped the clock in the 400m in 48.27 seconds, marking an indoor lifetime best, No. 3 all-time in program history and a NCAA DII Provisional mark. This run now skyrockets Foster to No. 1 in the Gulf South Conference and No. 10 in NCAA Division II.
Foster, a Madison, Miss. native, doubled back to lead the Men's 4x400m relay to an NCAA DII Provisional mark of 3:15.34 to become the fourth fastest relay time in program history. Additionally, this now puts the Blue and Gold at the forefront in the Gulf South Conference, as well as No. 6 nationally.
The Lady Choctaws were led by distance trifecta Taylor Benoit, Emily Berry, and Bre Bell who accounted for six of the 10 marks added to the Top-10 all time event lists. Benoit spearheaded the charge in both the 1 mile and 800m. The sophomore from French Camp, Miss. became the third Lady Choctaw in program history to break five minutes in the 1 mile, sneaking under the barrier in 4:59.96 and No. 3 all-time in program history. Following close behind was Berry in 5:01.20, good for No. 4 all-time. Bre Bell finished it off with a heat win and lifetime best of 5:11.2.
The trio doubled their efforts in the 800m run to again achieve lifetime bests - Benoit ran 2:18.8 to for No. 5 all-time, Bell in 2:20.4 for No. 7 all-time, and Berry in 2:21.9 for No. 8 all-time. Additionally, Benoit now finds herself at the No. 1 spot in the Women's 800m as well, with Bell in third and Berry in fourth.
The field events were captained by Jake Keesee and Bryan Puckett. Keesee, a sophomore with roots from Mobile, Ala., launched the Weight Throw an impressive 16.91 meters, improving his No. 3 all-time mark in the event. Moreover, Puckett made his presence known in the event, securing No. 6 all-time in a lifetime best of 15.48 meters.
UP NEXT:
The Choctaws will now enjoy Christmas break before heading back to Birmingham, Ala. to compete at the 2024 UAB Vulcan Invite on Saturday, January 13.
FOLLOW THE CHOCTAWS:
For the latest updates on Mississippi College Track & Field, follow the Choctaws on social media @GoChoctaws_XCTF (Twitter), and @gochoctaws_xctf (Instagram), or visit the official home of Mississippi College athletics at gochoctaws.com.
