CLINTON, Miss. — Despite early rain and cloudy skies, the weather cleared, and the Mike McMillian Invitational turned into a beautiful evening under the lights at James E. Parkman Track on Friday. Mississippi College track and field athletes delivered strong performances in front of the home crowd.
Senior Hilary Udechukwu led the Lady Choctaws with two event victories, taking first in the women's 400 meters (55.45) and the 400-meter hurdles (1:01.70). Senior Livia Fischer also had a busy evening, finishing second in the women's 200 meters (24.83) and fourth in the 400 meters (57.61).
In the men's 800 meters, freshman Sidney Stegall placed second with a time of 1:50.96, followed closely by sophomore Evan Wrights (1:52.07) and senior Cole Benoit (1:53.00). Senior Brock Kelly claimed the top spot in the men's 1500 meters with a time of 3:51.34.
On the women's side, Taylor Benoit took first place in the 1500 meters (4:30.17), while Caroline Dooling (third, 2:28.90) and Brookelyn Bidinger (fifth, 2:31.83) highlighted the women's 800-meter results.
The Choctaws took the top three spots in the men's 3000 meters, led by Cooper Parmer (8:27.66), Carson Smith (8:34.34), and Samuel Haber (8:35.19). Freshman Kinley Harris placed third in the women's 3000 meters with a time of 10:40.30.
In the throws, sophomore Kennedy Thompson won the women's discus with a throw of 39.81 meters and placed third in the hammer throw (41.96m). Freshman Rebekah Zweerink finished second in the women's hammer with a toss of 42.69 meters. Madison Flugence won the women's long jump with a leap of 5.60 meters and also placed third in the 400-meter hurdles.
Senior Jamaric Hill finished 13th in the men's 200 meters (22.44) and placed fourth in the men's triple jump with a mark of 13.39 meters.
For the men's throws, senior Christophe Garcia-Cloud threw 38.39 meters in the discus to finish sixth and placed third in the hammer with a mark of 43.43 meters.
Despite the early rain, the Choctaws put together a solid showing on a beautiful evening, continuing their preparation for the postseason.
