Golden Eagles Make Their Mark at Arkansas Invitational

Golden Eagles Make Their Mark at Arkansas Invitational

1/16/2026 4:24:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Golden Eagles made their mark with four event wins, while Emme Bates broke her second school record this season with a mile time of 4:43.31 and Tyler Nichols set a program record in the long jump event at 7.84 meters at the Arkansas Invitational on Friday.

Bates led the Golden Eagle women, who earned several top-eight finishes across the meet. Joidon Boddie led the way by placing third in the triple jump with a mark of 12.36 meters. Emme Bates finished fifth in the mile and placed fourth in the 3,000 meters, clocking 9:44.67. Alana Simon finished fourth in the high jump after clearing 1.75 meters. Valencia Watson added a seventh-place finish in the 200 meters with a time of 24.18.

Nichols' first-place finish was one of multiple strong performances for the men, highlighted by first-place finishes from Valentino Rudolph in the 200 meters (20.94), Piers Cameron in the shot put (19.07m), Maximus Littleton in the high jump (2.10m). Tyler Hughes finished second in the high jump, also clearing 2.10 meters, while De'Aundre Ward placed third in the long jump with a mark of 7.67 meters. Javel Fullerton finished fifth in the 300 meters with a time of 34.00. In the triple jump, Isaiah Lowrey placed fifth (14.49m), Clemon Jimerson finished seventh (13.85m), and Justin Johnson took eighth (13.84m). Conner Mozee added a sixth-place finish in the weight throw with a mark of 18.49 meters, and the men's 4x400-meter relay team placed fourth with a time of 3:12.84.

Southern Miss returns to action Sunday, February 1st, at the Jaguar Invitational, hosted by South Alabama.

Top 8 Finishes
Women

200 meters | 7th – Valencia Watson (24.18)

1 mile | 5th – Emme Bates (4:43.31)

3000 meters | 4th – Emme Bates (9:44.67)

High Jump | 4th – Alana Simon (1.75m)

Triple Jump | 3rd – Joidon Boddie (12.36m)

Men

200 meters | 1st – Valentino Rudolph (20.94)

300 meters | 5th - Javel Fullerton (34.00)

Shot Put | 1st – Piers Cameron (19.07m)

High Jump | 1st – Maximus Littleton (2.10m) 2nd – Tyler Hughes (2.10m)

Long Jump | 1st – Tyler Nichols (7.84m), 3rd – De'Aundre Ward (7.67m)