MSU Men’s Track and Field Finishes in Top 10 at NCAA’s

EUGENE, Ore. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – Not since 1923 had the Mississippi State men finished in the Top 10 of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, but that all changed Friday when the Bulldogs finished eighth overall after the 4x400m relay foursome placed third overall in dramatic fashion to conclude action at historic Hayward Field.

MSU finished with 20 points, while Oregon won the overall title, ahead of SEC foes Florida, Arkansas and LSU, respectively.

“This is what we’ve worked so hard for,” MSU coach Steve Dudley said. “We probably left some points on the track, but we were resilient to the very end and determined to get into the Top 10. I’m so proud of these guys for all they’ve done. Mississippi State should be proud of what they accomplished.”

The Bulldogs secured their finish after the 4x400m relay team of Scottie Hearn, Charles Taylor, Brandon McBride and Alfred Larry ran a time of 3:04.96 to collect six points.

But it wasn’t just this group producing for MSU.

Capturing five points for the Bulldogs was Marcus Jackson, who placed fourth in the high jump after clearing 7-03.25.

Although McBride didn’t successfully defend his title, he produced three points for the team as he finished sixth in the 800m run with a time of 1:50.11.

Last year, MSU finished tied for 24^th.

“To make that kind of jump is a testament to the dedication everyone of these guys have had since Day 1,” Dudley said. “They just keep battling. You have to give all the credit to our senior leadership. We couldn’t have finished in the Top 10 without Jovan Davis stepping in two weeks ago and also in the semifinals Wednesday in the 4×400. He gave our team another chance to score. And I can’t say enough about Marcus Jackson. He’s led this team all year and never once did he lose confidence. The seniors are the foundation of this team. Word’s can’t even express the level of toughness and the never-give-up attitude they possess. They are true champions.”

The women’s team will be back in action on Saturday with Erica Bougard kicking off the events with the high jump.  Also competing for the women tomorrow will be Rhianwedd Price and Marta Freitas in the 1500m run and Ebony Brinker in the triple jump

For more information on the MSU track and field teams visit Hailstate.com and follow on Twitter.

Friday Agate

Team Points

1. Oregon 85
2. Florida, 56
3. Arkansas, 53
4. LSU, 45
5. USC, 40.50
6. Texas A&M, 27
7. Texas, 26
8. Mississippi State, 20
9. Texas Tech, 18

T10. Illinois, 17
T10. Penn State, 17

Men
800m Run (Finals):
MSU: 6. Brandon McBride, 1:50.11

4x400m Relay (Finals): LSU, 3:01.96
MSU: 3. Jovan Davis, Scottie Hearn, Brandon McBride, Alfred Larry, 3:04.96

High Jump (Finals):
MSU: 4. Marcus Jackson, 7-03.25