MCC Posts Top Finish At Opening Meet

From School Reports

Meridian, MS – On Friday, Meridian Community College returned to competing in track and field following an over 10 year absence competing in Birmingham at the Birmingham Southern Ice Breaker. 

MCC’s men’s team posted a Top 10 finish placing 8^th amongst the 14 team field that included teams from the NCAA along with posting seven NJCAA qualifying times.

“This was a very good showing for us,” said Head Coach Chip Gayden. “We came out and competed at a high level and held our own against some good teams that compete in the NCAA with just a partial team traveling and not running either relays in the meet.”

The highlight of the meet for MCC came in the 60-meters, 60-meter exhibition and 200-meters where MCC saw victories.  Freshman, Chris Lewis won the 60-meters posting a winning time of 6.74.  Cravorkian Carson posted a 3^rd place finish in the event with a time of 6.95.  Freshman, Kendrick Smith posted victories in both the 60-meter exhibition and 200-meters.  Smith won the 60-meter exhibition in a time of 6.77 and then posted a winning time of 21.84. 

“Both sections of the 60-meters and the 200-meters were big for us,” said Coach Gayden.  “Anytime you can come in and execute what we have done in practice and have 3 personal bests is big. We qualified for nationals and now can just focus on improving.

MCC also saw success in the 400-meter on both the men’s and women’s side.  The men’s team was led by freshman Eric Durham posting fourth place finish and a NJCAA qualifying time of 49.83.  Freshman, Bryson Penton turned in a fifth place finish in a time of 50.99.  Jocindra Glee led the way on the women’s side posting a NJCAA qualifying time of 59.03 and a fourth place finish.

MCC will return to the track after the holiday break on Jan. 17 at the Auburn Invitational over in Birmingham at the Birmingham Crossplex.