Track Advances 13 to Finals; Enjoys Five Top Eight Finishes Friday at Sun Belt Championships

Warren Williams at Sun Belt Championships

Track Advances 13 to Finals; Enjoys Five Top Eight Finishes Friday at Sun Belt Championships

5/10/2024 11:30:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss outdoor track and field squad saw 13 individuals qualify in nine different finals and five more earn top eight finishes in the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Championships Friday being held at ULM in Monroe, La.

The Golden Eagles earned their most points during the day as three finished in the top eight in the men's long jump, including a third-place finish for Tyler Nichols with a season-best 7.34 meters leap. De'Aundre Ward finished fourth with a 7.31 meters mark and Phearthur Edwards added a personal best 7.13 meters total for an eighth place showing. The men also finished third in the shot put as Piers Cameron posted a 17.83 meters heave.

On the women's side Erin Phelps opened the scoring on the day for Southern Miss with a fourth-place finish in the 10,000 meters race with a time of 36:32.22.

Jada McDougle led the Golden Eagles in qualifying by advancing to the finals in both the 100 meters (11.42) and 200 meters (23.57) races. Kenia Seals also gained a spot in the 100 meters finals with a time of 11.605, while Trinity Benson collected a spot in the 200 meters at 23.19. Benson led three female Golden Eagles in the 400 meters race by posting a 54.41, as both Savi'a Varnell (54.51) and Addison McLaurin (54.85) earned spots as well.

Emme Bates will also compete in the women's 800 meters final after qualifying with a 2:13.33.

On the men's side, Kingsley Unorji had the best qualifying time in the 100 meters with a 10.31, while Elijah Berry (47.65) got a final spot in the 400 meters, while Kelvin Chiku (1:52.81) will run in the men's 800-meter final. In a pair of hurdles events Warren Williams will race for tops in the league in the 110 meters after posting a time of 13.94, while Javel Fullerton (52.40) will compete in Saturday's 400-meter hurdles.

Fans looking to following the action can view ESPN+, as well as accessing the live scoring by clicking here.

Qualifiers For Saturday's Finals
Women
200 Meters: Trinity Benson (23.19), Jada McDougle (23.57)
800 Meters: Emme Bates (2:13.33)
400 Meters: Trinity Benson (54.41), Savi'a Varnell (54.51), Addison McLaurin (54.85)
100 Meters: Jada McDougle (11.42), Kenia Seals (11.605)

Men
400 Meter Hurdles: Javel Fullerton (52.40)
110 Meter Hurdles: Warren Williams (13.94)
800 Meters: Kelvin Chiku (1:52.81)
400 Meters: Elijah Berry (47.65)
100 Meters: Kinglsey Unorji (10.31, top qualifying time)

Top 8 Finishes
Women
10,000 Meters: 4th – Erin Phelps (36:32.22)

Men
Long Jump: 3rd – Tyler Nichols (7.34m), 4th – De'Aundre Ward (7.31m), 8th – Phearthur Edwards (7.13m)
Shot Put: 3rd – Piers Cameron (17.83m)