Track and Field Kicks off Sun Belt Championships with Three Wins

Monday, February 23

Birmingham, AL

Southern Miss

Sun Belt Indoor Championships

Track and Field Kicks off Sun Belt Championships with Three Wins

2/23/2026 9:49:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Southern Miss started strong on day one of the Sun Belt Indoor Championships, securing three wins at the Birmingham Crossplex Monday. The women's distance medley relay team of Cadence Lapp, Addison McLaurin, Olivia Smith and Emme Bates captured first place with a time of 11:37.83. On the men's side, DeAundre Ward won the long jump with a mark of 7.67 meters, while Conner Mozee claimed the weight throw title at 19.59 meters. Ward was joined in the long jump by Tyler Nichols, who placed third at 7.60 meters.

In other women's finals performances, Maria Kaylor placed seventh in the 5,000 meters, crossing the line in 17:09.11. Meagan Womack finished ninth in the weight throw with a mark of 16.58 meters. For the men in the finals, the distance medley relay team of Jaden Gray, Isaiah Thomas, Saxon Brown and Mason Watkins placed seventh overall with a time of 10:27.02.

In Saturday's qualifying rounds, the women advanced competitors in multiple events. Valencia Watson qualified in the 200 meters with a time of 24.16, while Kennedi Sanders moved on in the 400 meters after clocking 55.28. Bates secured her place in the mile final with a time of 4:55.30. The men also posted several qualifying marks on day two. Nikoby Johnson (6.70) and Valentino Rudolph (6.81) advanced in the 60 meters, while Markeith Thompson qualified in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.21. Rudolph set a meet record in the 200 meters during preliminaries with a time of 20.78. Javel Fullerton advanced in the 400 meters (48.59), Brown qualified in the 800 meters (1:54.38), and Watkins secured a spot in the mile final with a time of 4:24.46.

The Golden Eagle men finish day one in third place overall with 28 points, while the women are tied for sixth with Coastal Carolina with 12 points. The final day of competition will commence Tuesday morning in the Crossplex.

Top 8 Finishes - Finals
Women

5000m | 7th – Maria Kaylor (17:09.11)

Weight Throw | 9th – Meagan Womack (16.58m)

DMR | 1st – C. Lapp, A. McLaurin, O. Smith, E. Bates (11.37.83)

Men

Long Jump | 1st – DeAundre Ward (7.67m), 3rd – Tyler Nichols (7.60m)

Weight Throw | 1st – Conner Mozee (19.59m)

DMR | 7th – J. Gray, I. Thomas, S. Brown, M. Watkins (10:27.02)

Day Two Qualifiers

Women

200m | Valencia Watson (24.16)

400m | Kennedi Sanders (55.28)