Southern Miss Track & Field Concludes Opening Weekend of Outdoor Season

Thursday, March 24

Austin, Texas

Southern Miss

Texas Relays

Southern Miss Track & Field Concludes Opening Weekend of Outdoor Season

3/26/2022 8:23:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Split between the Texas Relays hosted by the University of Texas and the Bulldog Relays hosted by Mississippi State University, the Southern Miss track and field team wrapped up their first weekend of the outdoor season on Saturday.

"We had some great performances as we made the adjustment back to the outdoor track," said head coach Jon Stuart. "It was great to see a number of athletes finish in the top-three in Starkville, including an event win from Smilla and Jordan, and then have Trinity run a lifetime best in Austin was an exciting way to start the outdoor season. We have plenty of room for improvement before we compete at our home track next weekend."

On Thursday, transfer Jordan Speer got the outdoor campaign started in a big way, winning the women's hammer throw at the Bulldog Relays with a mark of 184'5.0". She was joined on the podium by Isabella Simonelli, who finished third with a toss of 166'4.0", while on the men's side Kaya Ludgood also finished third in the hammer going 166'10.0"

Golden Eagle freshman Smilla Kolbe, who set the indoor program standard during her first season, picked up a win in the 800m in her first outdoor meet in the Black and Gold at the Bulldog Relays with a time of 2:10.00. She was followed closely by senior Sandra Szpott, who finished second, completing the half mile in 2:11.04.

In the 100m at the Texas Relays, sophomore Trinity Benson ran a personal-best 11.62 in the U/C timed final division to take fifth and move into ninth all-time in the event, while in the same event in Starkville, Kenia Seals earned third with a time of 11.90.

Savi'a Varnell was the next Golden Eagle to finish among the top-three, running 56.21 in the 400m dash in Starkville, to take third.

In the distance events at the Bulldog Relays, sophomore Sarah Parnell picked up some early season confidence with a second place finish in the 3000m steeplechase, running 11:20.40 to take silver, while Carlin Beal finished third in the 5000m with a time of 17:56.70.

Southern Miss track and field returns to Hattiesburg next weekend for their annual home meet starting on Friday.