Track and Field Shatters Records, Earns Eight Wins at UAB Blazer Invitational

Friday, January 9

Birmingham, AL

Southern Miss

UAB Blazer Invitational

Track and Field Shatters Records, Earns Eight Wins at UAB Blazer Invitational

1/9/2026 7:43:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Southern Miss Track and Field's Emme Bates and Valentino Rudolph both break school records as the team brings home eight wins from the UAB Blazer Invitational Friday afternoon. The men earned five wins, while the women finished with three.

Bates set a new high for the program's 1000-meter race with a time of 2:48.72. Rudolph, a newcomer for the Golden Eagles, sets a new standard in the 300-meter dash with a time in 33.65 seconds.

Bates led the Golden Eagle women recorded five podium finishes. In addition, Jaellene Burgess claimed first place in the 600 meters, clocking 1:34.15. Alana Simon captured the high jump title after clearing 1.69 meters. Joidon Boddie finished second in the triple jump with a mark of 12.23 meters, while Maria Kaylor placed second in the mile with a time of 5:09.24.

The men's team produced multiple top three performances, highlighted by Rudolph's victory. Maximus Littleton won the high jump after clearing 2.11 meters, while De'Aundre Ward claimed first place in the long jump with a mark of 7.66 meters. Elijah Kellum captured the triple jump title with a mark of 15.48 meters, and Piers Cameron won the shot with a throw of 18.42 meters. Nikoby Johnson placed third in the 60 meters, running 6.74 seconds.

Markeith Thompson finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.99, while Tyler Nichols placed second in the long jump with a mark of 7.52 meters. Additional podium finishes came from Isaiah Thomas, who placed third in the 500 meters (1:05.42); Saxon Brown, who finished third in the 600 meters (1:21.65); Mason Watkins, who placed second in the mile (4:24.80); Isaiah Lowrey, who finished second in the triple jump (14.52m); Justin Johnson, who placed third in the triple jump (13.77m); and Conner Mozee, who finished third in the weight throw (18.28m).

Southern Miss returns to action Friday, January 16, at the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville.

Top 8 Finishes
Women

60m | 7th – Tacherria Lawson (7.68)

60m Hurdles | 5th – Sierra Edwards (8.78), 8th – Amaria Bankhead (9.08)

300m | 8th – Kennedi Sanders (40.31)

600m | 1st- Jaellene Burgess (1:34.15)

1000m | 1st – Emme Bates (2:48.72), 5th – Cadence Lapp (2:56.68), 8th – Olivia Smith (3:01.42)

Mile | 2nd – Maria Kaylor (5:09.24), 6th- Corinne Croy (5:16.94)

3000m | 4th- Addison Rainey (10:03.73), 5th – Lexi Cooper (10:29.70), 6th – Indy Grajalez (10:29.87)

High Jump | 1st – Alana Simon (1.69m), Indea' Pounds (1.60m)

Long Jump | 8th – Sidney Allen (5.44m)

Triple Jump | 2nd – Joidon Boddie (12.23m)

Shot Put | 5th – Aryn Eady (11.79m)