Nichols and Valentino Earn Wins on Day One of Music City Challenge

Friday, February 13

Nashville, TN

Southern Miss

Vanderbilt Music City Challenge

Southern Miss Track and Field competes at Vanderbilt's multipurpose facility in the Music City Challenge Feb. 13-14, 2026.

Nichols and Valentino Earn Wins on Day One of Music City Challenge

2/13/2026 8:27:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tyler Nichols and Valentino Rudolph each earned a win on day one of the Music City Challenge Friday afternoon in Nashville. Nichols finished with a long jump mark of 7.90 meters while Rudolph finished with a 200 meter time of 20.99 seconds to earn their wins at the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility.

In additional top-eight performances, Sidney Allen placed fifth in the long jump on the women's side with a mark of 6.02 meters. For the men, De'Aundre Ward finished second behind Nichols at 7.84 meters. Conner Mozee recorded a third-place finish in the weight throw with a mark of 18.79 meters. Maximus Littleton cleared 2.03 meters to place fourth in the high jump, followed by Tyler Hughes in sixth at 1.98 meters. Saxon Brown added an eighth-place finish in the 800 meters, crossing the line in 1:19.10.

The Golden Eagles will kick off the final day of the meet on Saturday morning, beginning with the men's shot put.

Top 8 Finishes

Women

Long Jump | 5th – Sidney Allen (6.02m)

Men

200 meter | 1st – Valentino Rudolph (20.99)

800 meter | 8th – Saxon Brown (1:19.10)

Weight Throw | 3rd – Conner Mozee (18.79m)

High Jump | 4th – Maximus Littleton (2.03m), 6th – Tyler Hughes (1.98m)

Long Jump | 1st – Tyler Nichols (7.90m), 2nd – De'Aundre Ward (7.84m)

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