OXFORD, Miss. — Mississippi College track and field capped off an impressive performance at the Joe Walker Invitational on April 5, 2025, following two days of competition at the University of Mississippi. The Choctaws showcased their strength across both the track and field events, with multiple personal records (PRs), school records, and NCAA Division II (DII) Provo marks.
In the men's 100-meter, both Damone Daniels and Davion Smith turned in standout performances, setting new PRs. Daniels, a sophomore, clocked in at 10.73, while Smith, a junior, finished with a time of 10.78. Both times not only set personal bests but also provided a solid foundation for the team's performance over the weekend.
The women's 200-meter saw Hilary Udechukwu and Livia Fischer both break personal records. Udechukwu, a senior, posted a time of 24.88, while Fischer, also a senior, crossed the line at 24.89. These performances marked another strong showing for the Choctaws in the sprinting events.
In the men's 400-meter hurdles, Oliver Ollesch delivered one of the meet's standout performances, setting a new PR with a time of 52.60. The senior's time not only set a personal best but also earned him the top spot in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) rankings, according to the latest TFRRS data. Ollesch's performance was also a Provo mark for the NCAA DII championships, positioning him strongly for the rest of the season.
Freshman Sidney Stegall impressed in both the men's 800-meter and 1500-meter. Stegall ran a personal best of 1:51.70 in the 800m, finishing fourth overall, and also posted a 1500-meter PR with a time of 3:54.95. His performance in both events put him among the top distance runners in the conference, with his 800m time marking a strong NCAA DII Provo mark for the season. Senior Cole Benoit also competed in the men's 800-meter, posting a time of 1:51.47 in the invitational section, continuing his solid form as the season progresses.
In the field events, Kennedy Thompson and Rebekah Zweerink both made history in the discus throw, setting new school records. Thompson, a sophomore, threw 42.18 meters (138 feet, 4 inches), while Zweerink, a freshman, posted a throw of 41.35 meters (135 feet, 8 inches). These performances broke the previous school records, marking a historic day for the Choctaws in the field events.
The Mississippi College men's 4x400-meter relay team, consisting of Ollesch, Matias Vasquez, Samuel Hodson, and Evan Wrights, clocked a time of 3:10.97. The relay squad's time was one of the best performances of the meet and highlighted the depth of the Choctaws' sprinting talent. The team's performance ranks among the top in NCAA DII for the 2025 season.
In other notable performances, Madison Flugence and Katie Gates had strong showings in the women's 100-meter hurdles, finishing in 14.68 and 14.77 seconds, respectively, both close to their personal bests. Samuel Hodson and Matthew Singletary had solid performances in the men's 1500-meter, with times of 4:02.00 and 4:07.78, respectively. In the men's hammer throw, James Miller posted a throw of 51.01 meters (167 feet, 4 inches), while Bryan Puckett threw 44.61 meters (146 feet, 4 inches).
Looking ahead, Mississippi College track and field athletes made significant strides at the Joe Walker Invitational. With numerous PRs, school records, and competitive performances across various events, the Choctaws are poised for continued success. Several athletes are in contention for top honors in the Gulf South Conference and are well on track to qualify for the NCAA DII championships. As the outdoor season progresses, the team will look to build on its momentum and continue to make an impact in upcoming meets, aiming for top performances in the postseason
