BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mississippi College Track & Field returns to the Birmingham CrossPlex on Saturday, Jan. 10, competing in the UAB Vulcan Invitational beginning at 9 a.m. as the Choctaws continue the 2025–26 indoor season.

Mississippi College opened the indoor campaign in December with a productive split-squad weekend, posting event victories, personal bests, and multiple top-three finishes at the Crimson & Gold Invitational in Kansas and the Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker. Saturday's meet marks the first full-squad competition of the new year after last season's CrossPlex event was canceled due to weather.

The Choctaws enter the weekend with a strong blend of returning experience and emerging talent across event groups. Junior Evan Wrights, the GSC Indoor runner-up in the 800 meters a season ago, remains a key piece in the middle-distance group after opening the season with a win at the Icebreaker. Gabe Hodson adds veteran leadership in the 400 meters and relays, bolstering a unit that has consistently scored in championship settings.

In the sprints, Davion Smith returns as one of Mississippi College's top short-speed threats following a GSC Indoor Championships finalist performance in the 60 meters last season. Smith will again be counted on for points in both individual sprint events and relays as the Choctaws continue to establish early-season rhythm.

Mississippi College's throws group remains a program strength, led by James David Miller and Bryan Puckett, both past Gulf South Conference champions. Miller opened the season with a personal-best victory in the weight throw, while Puckett and Steven Conrad provide depth in both the weight throw and shot put as MC looks to build on its strong tradition in the field events.

The Choctaws also carry momentum from a successful cross country season. Lauren Wallace enters the indoor slate after earning South Region Runner of the Year honors, highlighted by a first-place finish at the NCAA South Region Championships and an appearance at the NCAA Championships alongside Taylor Benoit. That championship-level experience continues to strengthen Mississippi College's distance and middle-distance depth.

Mississippi College is coming off a fourth-place finish at last year's Gulf South Conference Indoor Championships, totaling 102 points behind multiple event wins, relay success, and top-three performances across sprints, middle distance, distance, and throws—reinforcing the team's ability to compete at a high level across disciplines.

Head coach Joe Snyder is encouraged by the group's early progress and outlook for the indoor season.

"We're excited about where this group is headed," Snyder said. "We already saw some really positive things in December, and now we're bringing the full squad together with a lot of experience and talent returning. This is a group that understands how to compete, and we're looking forward to continuing to build toward championship season."

Saturday's meet at the CrossPlex provides another opportunity for the Choctaws to test themselves against strong regional competition as they continue their march toward the Gulf South Conference Indoor Championships later this winter.

Meet Info

• Event: UAB Vulcan Invitational

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 10

• Time: 9 a.m.

• Location: Birmingham CrossPlex | Birmingham, Ala.

• Live Stats: Available via Xpress Timing