BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The Mississippi College Track and Field program is thrilled to announce that Al Ferrill, Kelechi Christian, and Head Coach Matthew Reneker have received Gulf South Conference (GSC) Indoor Track and Field Yearly Awards. Ferrill was named the Men's Field Athlete of the Year, Christian won the Women's Track Athlete of the Year, and Coach Reneker was awarded Men's Coach of the Year after leading the men's team to its second GSC title in three years.
Ferrill had a standout season, ending the year leading the GSC in both the Men's Shot Put and Men's Weight Throw, hitting provisional standard marks in both events. He went on to win both events at the 2023 GSC Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning him the Men's Field Performer of the Meet. The Tickfaw, La. native also broke the school records in both events this season.
Christian was the only athlete in the entire GSC to hit the provisional standard in the 60-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and 400-meter dash, and ended the year ranked in the top three in each event in the GSC. At the 2023 GSC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Christian won the Women's 400-meter dash, landed on the podium in the Women's 200-meter dash, and scored in both the Women's 60-meter dash and Women's 4x400m relay. She also broke the school record in every event from the 60-meter dash to the 400-meter dash, including the 4x400m relay. Lastly, Christian was recently announced as a qualifier for the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in the Women's 200-meter dash.
Coach Reneker led the men's team to their second GSC title in three years, with several athletes earning All-GSC finishes, as well as a total of 33 school records during the 2022-23 season.
"I would first and foremost like to thank my hard-working staff that I have been blessed to work with," expressed Reneker. "I am also incredibly proud of Al, Kelechi, and the program as a whole for their hard work and achievements this season."
The Mississippi College Track and Field program is excited about these awards and the bright future ahead. The team is looking forward to continuing their success in the upcoming outdoor season, as well as the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships.
