CLINTON, Miss – For two former Mississippi College track and field standouts, the years since college have done nothing to slow their competitive fire. In fact, for Tony Huffman and Lee Dukes, their recent performances on the national stage prove that the Choctaw spirit never ages.

At the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships, held July 17–20 in Huntsville, Alabama, Huffman captured two national championships in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs. Dukes added a title of his own in the 2,000-meter steeplechase. Both still hold spots on MC's all-time outdoor steeplechase list, Dukes at No. 2 and Huffman at No. 6, a testament to the legacies they began decades apart but now carry forward together.

Dukes: A Lifelong Competitor

For Dukes, who wore the Choctaw uniform more than 50 years ago, the national championship was not just another medal, it was the continuation of a dream he had as a young runner.

"When I was on the track team at Mississippi College more than 50 years ago, I often hoped that I would still be able to run when I got older," Dukes said. "At 71, I have no plans to stop running any time soon. I am blessed that I can still hurdle and jump the water jumps in the steeplechase, which I really enjoy doing.

"In the off season, I still enjoy trail running. My longest race was a 100-mile trail run three years ago. For my 70th birthday, I swam across the Mississippi River. This is much more than you asked for, but I just wanted to convey that doing things that are challenging physically and mentally is something I enjoy."

This year marked his third national title in his age group, and his success is not limited to the U.S. stage. "Last year I finished sixth in the world championships in Sweden, and I am currently ranked fourth in the world this year," Dukes said.

Shared Pride in the Choctaw Legacy

Beyond the medals and rankings, Dukes said one of the most rewarding parts of the championships was competing alongside another former MC runner.

"Having a former Choctaw competing in the nationals has added a new level of enjoyment," Dukes said. "Tony is a great athlete and a fierce competitor. I hope that he and I can continue to represent MC on the track for many years to come."

The two alums, representing different eras of Choctaw track and field, found common ground in their shared work ethic, love of competition, and pride in wearing the MC name, even decades after their collegiate days.

Huffman: Double National Champion

For Huffman, the road to two national titles was built on months of disciplined preparation. He entered the championships confident in his plan, but the execution — and the emotions — made it unforgettable.

"I knew with two laps left that I was going to win my first national championship, barring some mishap or injury," Huffman said. "My good friend and college roommate/teammate, Tony Greer, was in Huntsville cheering me on and letting me know where my competition was in relation to me. There were 20-plus people in the race, and as it went on, the faster guys were lapping the slower guys, so Tony kept track of my competition and let me know when I needed to kick it in.

"The race went as I had imagined it could go, but the feeling of winning was surreal. I actually teared up at the finish line as I realized I was going to win. The culmination of three and a half months of work and sacrifice was going to pay off and I was going to be a national champion. I had a big smile on my face when I circled the track to meet up with Tony, my wife Laurie, and Tony's wife Sharon. I'm pretty sure that smile stayed on my face for the next 24 hours."

While the joy was real, Huffman also kept his success in perspective. "I think it's okay to be proud of yourself for a significant accomplishment, two significant accomplishments, if you keep it in perspective," he said. "I was the fastest guy in those races on those days, and that makes me a national champion forever. But I also realize that there are faster guys than me in the country and the world, so while the accomplishments are significant, it just means I must get back to work and get ready for the next big race."

Huffman credited Mississippi College for launching his track career. "I'm very proud of winning two national championships, executing my race plans to perfection, and bringing home the gold medals to Mississippi. I feel like these medals also belong to Mississippi College, where my running and track career began back in 1980. Without MC and the track scholarship, there is no telling where I would have ended up or even if I would have been a runner. MC, and Coach Billy Lamb, took a chance on a newbie runner who began my track career as a senior in high school, and now 45 years later I can tie my national championships back to MC."

And while his own victories meant a great deal, Huffman also took time to praise his fellow champion. "Lee Dukes is my running hero," Huffman said. "Lee is back-to-back national champion in the 2,000-meter steeplechase, in my opinion, the hardest race in track. And on top of that, Lee still hurdles the steeplechase barriers. I cannot tell you how impressive that feat is for any athlete, much less a 71-year-old masters runner. Lee is an incredible runner and a strong encourager. Over the months of training for the national championships, Lee and I would text every week on our workouts and our progress, and he would let me know that I was moving in the right direction and encourage me to keep up the hard work.

"Lee and I had the chance to share an Airbnb last year in Sacramento, so we got to know each other much better, and I had the opportunity to watch him win the 2024 national championship steeplechase. Lee's victory in 2024 was my motivation to improve and focus on a national championship, because I wanted to be like Lee."

A Story That Transcends Time

For Mississippi College, seeing Dukes and Huffman stand atop the podium together was more than a celebration of athletic excellence. It was a powerful reminder of what it means to be a Choctaw for life. Their achievements bridge generations, showing current student-athletes that the lessons learned on the track, discipline, determination, and pride, can carry them to greatness for decades to come.

Did You Know?

• Decades Apart, Same Event: Dukes and Huffman both made their mark in the steeplechase during their MC careers, and both still hold top-10 spots in the school's all-time records.

• The 100-Mile Man: Dukes completed a 100-mile trail run at age 68, proving his endurance is world-class.

• A Birthday Splash: For his 70th birthday, Dukes swam across the Mississippi River.

• World-Class Rankings: Dukes placed sixth in the 2023 World Championships in Sweden and is currently ranked fourth in the world for his age group.

• Double Gold: Huffman not only won the 5,000m and 10,000m at this year's nationals, he did it in the same weekend against elite competition from across the country.

• From Rookie to Champion: Huffman only began running track as a high school senior, yet 45 years later he is a two-time national champion.