RUSTON, La. – The Alcorn State track and field team enjoyed a successful second outing in its outdoor season, setting numerous personal bests at the Jim Mize Invitational hosted by La Tech on Friday, March 17 – Saturday, March 18.
In total, six podium trips were made, 21 top-ten finishes, and 10 personal bests were set over the course of two days.
The Braves own the number two spot in several events, including the women's long jump, the men's 1500, 400, triple jump, and discus. They had one third-place finish in the women's 5000 meter.
Kiion Smith finished as the runner-up to a Jackson State opponent in the men's discus to take home the men's team's first medal of the weekend. He tossed for a personal best of 144'7"/44.06m. He also set a personal record in the hammer throw, finishing sixth with a mark of 133/10"/40.80m.
Jailyn Ward grabbed the Lady Braves' first medal of the invitational on the track and the only bronze of the event, placing third in the women's 5000. She finished with a time of 24:54.66, setting a personal record during the run.
Khiah Williams earned Saturday's first medal for Alcorn in the women's long jump. She finished runner-up with a leap of 18'9.75"/5.73m.
Kelvin Kipkemboi impressed in his 1500m outdoor debut for the Braves. His personal best of 4:13.99 saw him finish runner-up in the men's event.
Jeremiah Saintil saw a mark of 46'10.25"/14.28m in the men's triple jump Saturday afternoon for a silver medal. He also placed fourth in the men's long jump with a distance of 22'2.25"/6.76m.
Arrington Robinson captured a personal best in the men's 200 and 400. He earned second place in the 400 with a time of 50.15 and placed fifth in the 200, finishing in 21.78.
Mckenzie Patterson placed 14th in the women's 200-meter with a personal best of 26.29.
Ashton Murphy placed 16th in the men's 100 and 17th in the 200 to reach a personal best in both events. He crossed the finish line in 11.42 in the 100 and 23.11 in the 200.
Terrell White finished seventh place in the men's 800-meter with a personal best time of 2:01.97.
Chemar McGhee improved his time in the men's 1500-meter from his outdoor debut two weeks ago. He completed running in 4:35.29 for a new personal record.
Jasmine Ward secured a top-10 finish in the women's 100-meter, sprinting for 12.64. She also placed sixth in the 400 with a time of 59.30.
Akili Pleas-Carnie took the seventh spot in the women's 100-meter hurdles, crossing the finish line at 15.45. She then secured a top-five finish in the women's 400-meter hurdle at 1:08.45, just before fellow Lady Brave Jade Ceasar, who placed seventh with 1:15.66.
Kaylin White leaped for eighth place in the women's long jump at 16'11.25'/5.16m.
Marciano Taylor placed sixth in the men's 1500-meter run with a time of 4:21.73.
Charles Nnantah Jr. took top ten in the men's 110-meter hurdle, finishing eighth in 16.22.
Elijah Moncure placed 10th in the men's long jump with a distance of 20'1.5"/6.13m.
Alcorn State track and field will continue the outdoor season at the Southern Miss Invitational in Hattiesburg, Miss., from March 31 to April 1.
