MCC Track Gears Up for MCC Relay Invitational

From School Reports

Meridian, MS – MCC Track and Field will continue their outdoor season Saturday as they gear up to host the third annual MCC Relay Invitational on the campus of Meridian Community College.  MCC, who is currently ranked 13^th in the first USTFCCCA national poll will welcome four teams this year with two teams being nationally ranked.   Coahoma CC (23^rd), University of West Alabama, William Carey University (20^th) and Blue Mountain College will all square off against MCC in the scored invitational meet.

“We are real excited to compete at home for a change and have the opportunity to run in front of family and friends,” said Head Coach Chip Gayden.  “This is a great meet for us historically as we open up a lot of our key contributors on our team in their primary events.”

On the track Saturday, MCC will showcase their top talent in their primary events.  Freshman Marcus reaves will make his season debut in the 100 meters after posting the fourth fastest time in the NJCAA in the 200 meters two weeks ago.  In the 400 meters, Stephan Holcombe, who finished fourth at the Indoor National Championships will make his outdoor season debut in the event and will square off against his teammate James Burnett who currently ranks sixth in the NJCAA with a time of 47.32.

In the distance events, MCC will showcase their back to back National Championship 4x800 relay as all four members will compete in the 800 meters.  In the 1500 meters, Micah Britton will take the track for MCC and look to improve on his 10^th place national ranking in the event.

In the field events, indoor national qualifiers R’Darious Edwards and Marrel Parker will compete for MCC.  R’Darious Edwards will compete in the triple jump where he finished seventh at the Indoor National Championships.  Marrel Parker, an indoor national qualifier will compete in the long jump.

On the women’s side, Shaliyah Dixon-Tucker will look to improve on her current ninth place ranking in the NJCAA in the 100 meter hurdles.  Ashley Henderson, a five time All-American for MCC will make her season debut in the 400 meters after already posting the second fastest time in the 200 meters in the NJCAA earlier this season.

MCC will showcase both of their sprint relays Saturday.  MCC will take the track in the 4x100 relay, an event that MCC has dominated in the NJCAA in the last two years.  In the 4x100 meter relay MCC will look to the foursome of Stephan Holcombe, Devarius Turner, Andre Burrell and Marcus Reaves. 

MCC will also run their fourth place 4x400 meter relay team from the Indoor National Championships with the group of James Burnett, Andre Burrell, Stephan Holcombe and Kobey Hill.

Saturday the field events will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the running events will begin at 1:10 p.m. with the final event the 4x400 meter relay running at 4:00 p.m.