BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mississippi College turned in a strong opening day at the 2026 Gulf South Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday at the Birmingham CrossPlex, highlighted by a women's event victory and multiple athletes advancing to finals.
The Lady Choctaws captured a conference title in the distance medley relay, posting a winning time of 11:39.65 to lead the field and secure 10 team points.
On the men's side, Mississippi College earned a podium finish in the distance medley relay. The Choctaws placed third overall with a time of 9:59.09.
Mississippi College also advanced several athletes to Friday's finals on the track.
Freshman Brodie Roberts led the men's 60-meter dash preliminaries with a time of 6.86, the fastest mark of the day. In the men's 60-meter hurdles, Tristan Jusino-Lansing qualified first overall at 8.02, while teammate Jake McMillan also advanced after winning his heat in 8.20.
In the women's hurdles, Haylei Mason qualified for the finals after clocking 9.04, and Madison Flugence advanced with a heat-winning time of 8.80. Flugence added a sixth-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 5.39 meters (17-8.25).
Senior Alana Green moved on to the finals in the women's 200 meters, qualifying eighth in 25.26, while Elyse Dorris finished just outside the top eight in the 60-meter dash preliminaries.
Mississippi College also recorded solid distance performances. Kinley Harris led the women with an 11th-place finish in the 5,000 meters (18:31.66), while Gabrielle Jeffery placed 13th. On the men's side, Braedon Methvin finished ninth in the 5,000 meters with a time of 15:15.34, followed closely by Cooper Parmer in 10th.
In field events, Isabella Magyar tied for fifth in the women's pole vault by clearing 3.05 meters (10-0), while Kennedy Thompson placed sixth in the women's shot put at 11.96 meters (39-3).
Multi-event competitors also contributed strong efforts. Ann Cobb recorded top-10 performances in multiple pentathlon events and finished ninth in the 800-meter segment.
Day two of the GSC Indoor Championships begins Friday at 10 a.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Final team standings will be determined following the conclusion of competition.
