Track and Field Laces Up for Music City Challenge

Friday, February 13

Nashville, TN

Southern Miss

Vanderbilt Music City Challenge

De'Aundre Ward competing at the Birmingham Crossplex

Track and Field Laces Up for Music City Challenge

2/12/2026 11:12:00 AM | Track & Field/Cross Country

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss Track and Field suits up to head to Vanderbilt's Music City Challenge in Nashville, Tenn. Friday and Saturday. The meet will take place at the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility.

Last time out, the Golden Eagles made their mark throughout the day by claiming victories from both the women's and men's squads. In addition to Boddie's wins on the women's side, Cadence Lapp won the mile in 4:56.65, while Alana Simon captured first in the high jump with a clearance of 1.76 meters. For the men, Tyler Nichols earned a win in the high jump at 2.10 meters, De'Aundre Ward took first in the long jump with a leap of 7.60 meters, and Conner Mozee won the weight throw at 19.23 meters. Piers Cameron added a fourth consecutive victory in the shot put, throwing 18.58 meters.

On the national scale, Nichols is ranked 11th with his long jump mark of 7.84 meters, while Cameron's shot put throw of 19.07 meters ranks 18th. Southern Miss remains in the regional rankings, with five top-ten event ranking for the men, and two top ten ranking for the women in the South region.

The Golden Eagles will head to Birmingham with 42 total athletes, 21 women and 21 men. The meet consists of 50 other teams alongside Southern Miss, including Sun Belt opponents Arkansas State, ULM, South Alabama, and Troy. Friday's events will kick off with the weight throw, while the 5000-meter race will conclude day one. Saturday will resume competition with the shot put and will end with the 4x400 meter relays.

Both meet days will be availible to watch through SEC Network+. Admission will be $15 per person, while children two years and under are granted free entry. Live results for the weekend will be found at: https://live.pttiming.com/?mid=8682.

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