Saturday, February 6
Columbia, S.C.
10 AM
Ole Miss
at
South Carolina Invite
Rebels Excel at Busy South Carolina Invite
2/6/2021 | Track and Field
Ole Miss Won Three Event Titles
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Ole Miss men's and women's track & field put together another solid meet, winning three events and stringing together several highly-ranked performances at the South Carolina Invite on Saturday.
The Rebel throwers led the way with an excellent meet, their first since the season opener at Vanderbilt on Jan. 15-16. All-American senior Shey Taiwo found her footing quickly in her first meet of 2021, winning the women's weight throw in a tight battle over Auburn's Madi Malone. Taiwo bested Malone by less than an inch for the win, throwing 21.43m (70-03.75). Her winning toss, which came in the fifth round, immediately launched her up to No. 5 in the NCAA and No. 3 in the SEC behind Malone (22.20m/72-10.00) and teammate Jasmine Mitchell (21.57m/70-09.25). Taiwo is the defending SEC champion in the weight throw on her career-best 22.72m (74-06.50), the second-best throw in Ole Miss history.
Mitchell was one of three additional Rebels to make the weight throw final on Saturday, where she finished fifth at 20.47m (67-02.00). Other Rebels in the final were Deborah Bulai (eighth, 18.58m/60-11.50) and Tedreauna Britt (ninth, 17.96m/58-11.25).
Britt had a superb day in the shot put ring, finishing runner-up at a one-foot PR of 16.33m (53-07.00) that improves on her slot in No. 3 all-time. Her throw in the third round briefly took the lead before Auburn's Maura Huwalt took it back for good in the fourth at 16.41m (53-10.25). Britt currently ranks 10th in the NCAA and fourth in the SEC, and her toss today makes her just the third Rebel to break the 53-foot plateau in the women's shot put indoors behind Olympian and NCAA Champion Raven Saunders (19.56m/64-02.25) and All-American Janeah Stewart (17.63m/57-10.25).
In the men's weight throw, junior Joseph Benedetto had a career day as well. He finished fourth overall at a one-foot PR of 20.85m (68-05.00) in a stacked field that included a new NCAA-leading toss from Florida's Thomas Mardal (23.14m/75-11.00). Benedetto's performance Saturday pushed him up to No. 2 all-time at Ole Miss ahead of Stacy Andrews (20.82m/68-03.75) and within one foot of Dempsey McGuigan's 2018 record of 21.11m (69-03.25). Furthermore, Benedetto now ranks 18th in the NCAA and seventh in the SEC this season.
On the track, the Ole Miss record in the women's mile fell for the third consecutive meet after senior Maddie King reclaimed her crown. King finished third overall at a three-second PR of 4:43.44, toppling sophomore Loral Winn's record of 4:45.60 set just last week at the Razorback Invite. Winn, meanwhile, had just toppled Anna Elkin's record of 4:46.23, which Elkin set at Vanderbilt on Jan. 16 to take over the top spot from King's old school record time of 4:46.45 from the 2019 season. Today's time by King pushes her up to No. 23 in the NCAA and No. 10 in the SEC this year.
Dalton Hengst also had a solid performance in the men's mile, finishing fourth at a four-second PR of 4:04.92 to push into a tie for 15th all-time at Ole Miss.
Freshman Samara McConnell continued to impress in the pole vault, winning the women's competition Saturday for the second time in three tries as a collegian. McConnell was cruising, staying clean over her first three heights for the victory, her winning height coming at a new PR of 4.08m (13-04.50). Her performance today pushes her up to No. 7 all-time at Ole Miss, No. 30 in the NCAA and No. 10 in the SEC. Furthermore, she leads all SEC freshmen in the pole vault and ranks sixth nationally among freshmen.
Sophomore Lyndsey Reed also cleared 4.08m (13-04.50), but took second to McConnell on misses. Freshman Alex Brooks had a personal best in sixth place at 3.98m (13-00.75), a one-foot improvement that pushes her to eighth all-time at Ole Miss.
All-American senior Allen Gordon claimed his second victory of the season, winning the high jump at 2.18m (7-01.75) and just barely missing on his second attempt at a new PR of 2.21m (7-03.00). Gordon also finished runner-up in the long jump at 7.43m (24-04.50), which came on his sixth and final attempt to move him from sixth to second.
Other notable performances on the day included a runner-up finish by Griffin Riley in the 800-meter (1:51.87), and three finals appearances from the Rebel sprints/hurdles group from Jayda Eckford in the 200-meter dash (fifth, season-best 23.88), Kenney Broadnax in the 60-meter hurdles (fifth, season-best 7.99) and Brandee Presley in the 60-meter dash (sixth, 7.49).
Ole Miss will return to Vanderbilt next Saturday (Feb. 13) for the Music City Classic.
REBELS IN COMPETITION
Women's 60-Meter Dash
6. Brandee Presley – 7.49f – 7.45q (3rd)
17. Kelly Rowe – 7.86p
Men's 60-Meter Dash
10. Ryan Star – 6.86 – PR, T-15th all-time
12. Elijah Dryer – 6.91
Women's 200-Meter Dash
5. Jayda Eckford – 23.88 – Season-best, 32nd NCAA
12. Ashanti Denton – 24.81
22. Kelly Rowe – 25.59
Men's 200-Meter Dash
14. Elijah Dryer – 21.50
Women's 400-Meter Dash
14. Toni Glatz – 56.90
Men's 400-Meter Dash
19. Marcus Dropik – 50.28
20. Luke Etherton – 50.97
Women's 800-Meter
22. Makayla Fick – 2:19.08
Men's 800-Meter
2. Griffin Riley – 1:51.87 – 40th NCAA
14. Jacob Lough – 1:56.99
20. Jamie Witmer – 1:58.76
Women's Mile
3. Maddie King – 4:43.44 – School Record, 3-second PR, 23rd NCAA, 10th SEC
5. Skylar Boogerd – 4:48.16 – PR, 8th all-time
14. Ylvi Traxler – 5:00.75
17. Morgan Claire Rose – 5:05.01 – 16-second PR
Men's Mile
4. Dalton Hengst – 4:04.92 – 4-second PR, 15th all-time
Women's 3K
12. Nicole Rice – 10:02.46 – 12-second PR
Men's 3K
19. Whit Dennis – 8:47.21
Men's 60-Meter Hurdles
5. Kenney Broadnax – 7.99f (SB) – 8.11q (6th)
11. Pierce Genereux – 9.02p – PR
13. Peyton Lowery – 9.39p – PR
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles
16. Sara Van Aken – 9.28
Women's High Jump
6. Sara Van Aken – 1.66m (5-05.25)
Men's High Jump
1. Allen Gordon – 2.18m (7-01.75)
Women's Pole Vault
1. Samara McConnell – 4.08m (13-04.50) – PR, 7th all-time, 30th NCAA, 10th SEC
2. Lyndsey Reed – 4.08m (13-04.50)
6. Alex Brooks – 3.98m (13-00.75) – 1-foot PR, 8th all-time
12. Elizabeth Nix – 3.68m (12-00.75)
15. Remy Guertel – 3.53m (11-07.00) – PR, 13th all-time
Men's Pole Vault
4. Peyton Weissmann – 5.01m (16-05.25) – SB
9. Ryan Roark – 4.71m (15-05.50) – PR, 14th all-time
10. Miles Walden – 4.56m (14-11.50)
Men's Long Jump
2. Allen Gordon – 7.43m (24-04.50)
8. Torrence Tuberville – 6.75m (22-01.75) – PR
12. Ryan Star – 6.32m (20-09.00)
14. Peyton Lowery – 6.27m (20-07.00) – PR
15. Luke Etherton – 6.08m (19-11.50)
16. Pierce Genereux – 5.98m (19-07.50)
Women's Triple Jump
6. Kyla McLaurin – 11.40m (37-05.00)
Men's Triple Jump
6. Demond Fleming – 13.85m (45-05.25)
7. Cory Meek – 13.59m (44-07.00) – PR
Women's Shot Put
2. Tedreauna Britt – 16.33m (53-07.00) – 1-foot PR, 3rd all-time, 10th NCAA, 4th SEC
10. Jasmine Mitchell – 15.11m (49-07.00) – PR, 7th all-time
Men's Shot Put
4. Daniel Viveros – 17.58m (57-08.25) – SB
5. Danny Guiliani – 17.53m (57-06.25) – SB
Women's Weight Throw
1. Shey Taiwo – 21.43m (70-03.75) – 5th NCAA, 3rd SEC
5. Jasmine Mitchell – 20.47m (67-02.00)
8. Deborah Bulai – 18.58m (60-11.50)
9. Tedreauna Britt – 17.96m (58-11.25)
Men's Weight Throw
4. Joseph Benedetto – 20.85m (68-05.00) – 1-foot PR, 2nd all-time, 18th NCAA, 7th SEC
10. Joseph Lanham – 17.08m (56-00.50)
For more information on Ole Miss Track & Field and Cross Country, follow the Rebels on Twitter (@OleMissTrack), Facebook and Instagram.
The Rebel throwers led the way with an excellent meet, their first since the season opener at Vanderbilt on Jan. 15-16. All-American senior Shey Taiwo found her footing quickly in her first meet of 2021, winning the women's weight throw in a tight battle over Auburn's Madi Malone. Taiwo bested Malone by less than an inch for the win, throwing 21.43m (70-03.75). Her winning toss, which came in the fifth round, immediately launched her up to No. 5 in the NCAA and No. 3 in the SEC behind Malone (22.20m/72-10.00) and teammate Jasmine Mitchell (21.57m/70-09.25). Taiwo is the defending SEC champion in the weight throw on her career-best 22.72m (74-06.50), the second-best throw in Ole Miss history.
Mitchell was one of three additional Rebels to make the weight throw final on Saturday, where she finished fifth at 20.47m (67-02.00). Other Rebels in the final were Deborah Bulai (eighth, 18.58m/60-11.50) and Tedreauna Britt (ninth, 17.96m/58-11.25).
Britt had a superb day in the shot put ring, finishing runner-up at a one-foot PR of 16.33m (53-07.00) that improves on her slot in No. 3 all-time. Her throw in the third round briefly took the lead before Auburn's Maura Huwalt took it back for good in the fourth at 16.41m (53-10.25). Britt currently ranks 10th in the NCAA and fourth in the SEC, and her toss today makes her just the third Rebel to break the 53-foot plateau in the women's shot put indoors behind Olympian and NCAA Champion Raven Saunders (19.56m/64-02.25) and All-American Janeah Stewart (17.63m/57-10.25).
In the men's weight throw, junior Joseph Benedetto had a career day as well. He finished fourth overall at a one-foot PR of 20.85m (68-05.00) in a stacked field that included a new NCAA-leading toss from Florida's Thomas Mardal (23.14m/75-11.00). Benedetto's performance Saturday pushed him up to No. 2 all-time at Ole Miss ahead of Stacy Andrews (20.82m/68-03.75) and within one foot of Dempsey McGuigan's 2018 record of 21.11m (69-03.25). Furthermore, Benedetto now ranks 18th in the NCAA and seventh in the SEC this season.
On the track, the Ole Miss record in the women's mile fell for the third consecutive meet after senior Maddie King reclaimed her crown. King finished third overall at a three-second PR of 4:43.44, toppling sophomore Loral Winn's record of 4:45.60 set just last week at the Razorback Invite. Winn, meanwhile, had just toppled Anna Elkin's record of 4:46.23, which Elkin set at Vanderbilt on Jan. 16 to take over the top spot from King's old school record time of 4:46.45 from the 2019 season. Today's time by King pushes her up to No. 23 in the NCAA and No. 10 in the SEC this year.
Dalton Hengst also had a solid performance in the men's mile, finishing fourth at a four-second PR of 4:04.92 to push into a tie for 15th all-time at Ole Miss.
Freshman Samara McConnell continued to impress in the pole vault, winning the women's competition Saturday for the second time in three tries as a collegian. McConnell was cruising, staying clean over her first three heights for the victory, her winning height coming at a new PR of 4.08m (13-04.50). Her performance today pushes her up to No. 7 all-time at Ole Miss, No. 30 in the NCAA and No. 10 in the SEC. Furthermore, she leads all SEC freshmen in the pole vault and ranks sixth nationally among freshmen.
Sophomore Lyndsey Reed also cleared 4.08m (13-04.50), but took second to McConnell on misses. Freshman Alex Brooks had a personal best in sixth place at 3.98m (13-00.75), a one-foot improvement that pushes her to eighth all-time at Ole Miss.
All-American senior Allen Gordon claimed his second victory of the season, winning the high jump at 2.18m (7-01.75) and just barely missing on his second attempt at a new PR of 2.21m (7-03.00). Gordon also finished runner-up in the long jump at 7.43m (24-04.50), which came on his sixth and final attempt to move him from sixth to second.
Other notable performances on the day included a runner-up finish by Griffin Riley in the 800-meter (1:51.87), and three finals appearances from the Rebel sprints/hurdles group from Jayda Eckford in the 200-meter dash (fifth, season-best 23.88), Kenney Broadnax in the 60-meter hurdles (fifth, season-best 7.99) and Brandee Presley in the 60-meter dash (sixth, 7.49).
Ole Miss will return to Vanderbilt next Saturday (Feb. 13) for the Music City Classic.
REBELS IN COMPETITION
Women's 60-Meter Dash
6. Brandee Presley – 7.49f – 7.45q (3rd)
17. Kelly Rowe – 7.86p
Men's 60-Meter Dash
10. Ryan Star – 6.86 – PR, T-15th all-time
12. Elijah Dryer – 6.91
Women's 200-Meter Dash
5. Jayda Eckford – 23.88 – Season-best, 32nd NCAA
12. Ashanti Denton – 24.81
22. Kelly Rowe – 25.59
Men's 200-Meter Dash
14. Elijah Dryer – 21.50
Women's 400-Meter Dash
14. Toni Glatz – 56.90
Men's 400-Meter Dash
19. Marcus Dropik – 50.28
20. Luke Etherton – 50.97
Women's 800-Meter
22. Makayla Fick – 2:19.08
Men's 800-Meter
2. Griffin Riley – 1:51.87 – 40th NCAA
14. Jacob Lough – 1:56.99
20. Jamie Witmer – 1:58.76
Women's Mile
3. Maddie King – 4:43.44 – School Record, 3-second PR, 23rd NCAA, 10th SEC
5. Skylar Boogerd – 4:48.16 – PR, 8th all-time
14. Ylvi Traxler – 5:00.75
17. Morgan Claire Rose – 5:05.01 – 16-second PR
Men's Mile
4. Dalton Hengst – 4:04.92 – 4-second PR, 15th all-time
Women's 3K
12. Nicole Rice – 10:02.46 – 12-second PR
Men's 3K
19. Whit Dennis – 8:47.21
Men's 60-Meter Hurdles
5. Kenney Broadnax – 7.99f (SB) – 8.11q (6th)
11. Pierce Genereux – 9.02p – PR
13. Peyton Lowery – 9.39p – PR
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles
16. Sara Van Aken – 9.28
Women's High Jump
6. Sara Van Aken – 1.66m (5-05.25)
Men's High Jump
1. Allen Gordon – 2.18m (7-01.75)
Women's Pole Vault
1. Samara McConnell – 4.08m (13-04.50) – PR, 7th all-time, 30th NCAA, 10th SEC
2. Lyndsey Reed – 4.08m (13-04.50)
6. Alex Brooks – 3.98m (13-00.75) – 1-foot PR, 8th all-time
12. Elizabeth Nix – 3.68m (12-00.75)
15. Remy Guertel – 3.53m (11-07.00) – PR, 13th all-time
Men's Pole Vault
4. Peyton Weissmann – 5.01m (16-05.25) – SB
9. Ryan Roark – 4.71m (15-05.50) – PR, 14th all-time
10. Miles Walden – 4.56m (14-11.50)
Men's Long Jump
2. Allen Gordon – 7.43m (24-04.50)
8. Torrence Tuberville – 6.75m (22-01.75) – PR
12. Ryan Star – 6.32m (20-09.00)
14. Peyton Lowery – 6.27m (20-07.00) – PR
15. Luke Etherton – 6.08m (19-11.50)
16. Pierce Genereux – 5.98m (19-07.50)
Women's Triple Jump
6. Kyla McLaurin – 11.40m (37-05.00)
Men's Triple Jump
6. Demond Fleming – 13.85m (45-05.25)
7. Cory Meek – 13.59m (44-07.00) – PR
Women's Shot Put
2. Tedreauna Britt – 16.33m (53-07.00) – 1-foot PR, 3rd all-time, 10th NCAA, 4th SEC
10. Jasmine Mitchell – 15.11m (49-07.00) – PR, 7th all-time
Men's Shot Put
4. Daniel Viveros – 17.58m (57-08.25) – SB
5. Danny Guiliani – 17.53m (57-06.25) – SB
Women's Weight Throw
1. Shey Taiwo – 21.43m (70-03.75) – 5th NCAA, 3rd SEC
5. Jasmine Mitchell – 20.47m (67-02.00)
8. Deborah Bulai – 18.58m (60-11.50)
9. Tedreauna Britt – 17.96m (58-11.25)
Men's Weight Throw
4. Joseph Benedetto – 20.85m (68-05.00) – 1-foot PR, 2nd all-time, 18th NCAA, 7th SEC
10. Joseph Lanham – 17.08m (56-00.50)
For more information on Ole Miss Track & Field and Cross Country, follow the Rebels on Twitter (@OleMissTrack), Facebook and Instagram.