STARKVILLE, Miss. - In the annual Al Schmidt Bulldog Relays hosted by Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss., the University of Mobile Outdoor Track and Field program saw two more Rams qualify for the upcoming 2022 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Gulf Shores, Ala., bringing the total number of Rams to qualify through three meets on the year to eight. Additionally, multiple school and personal records were broken from student-athletes across the men's and women's outdoor track and field teams at Mobile in the three-day meet over the weekend.
Two Headed to NAIA Nationals in Gulf Shores
Jalicia Neal got the party started for Mobile in the Bulldog Relays by qualifying for nationals in the women's high jump. Neal recorded a personal-best of 1.65 meters, which matches the school record in the women's high jump event at Mobile, and placed fifth overall in the event. Additionally, Neal placed 19th overall in the women's 100-meter hurdles event with a time of 16.45 seconds.
Anna Cabrera also competed in the women's 100-meter hurdles over the weekend and managed to qualify for nationals with a time of 14.62 seconds, placing her 12th overall. Cabrera's time of 14.62 sets a new school and personal record in the event. She was one of five Rams to qualify for the 2022 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships earlier this year.
The 2022 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships is scheduled for May 25-27 at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Ala.
Personal Records Galore - Bulldog Relays
In addition to Neal and Cabrera qualifying for nationals, Mobile saw other success this weekend as several Rams recorded new personal records across various events.
On the women's side, Latavia Jack, Samantha Mansur, and Myla Edwards all recorded personal records in the 100 meters. Jack placed 11th with a time of 12.16 seconds in the event and Mansur was .20 seconds behind Jack with a time of 12.36. Edwards recorded a time of 12.43 in the event for her new personal record. The trio all managed to qualify for nationals in the women's 4x100 relay event at Mobile's previous meet in Hammond, La.
Kya Gardner recorded not one, but two personal records over the weekend. Gardner put in a time of 27.17 in the 200 meters event for a new personal best, while also recording a new personal record in the 400 meters with a time of 1:01.77. Yasmin Pines joined Gardner in setting a new personal record in the 200 meters with a time of 28.34 seconds.
The men's team at Mobile saw four personal records earned over the three-day meet in Starkville, all coming from track student-athletes. Similar to the women's team, three Rams set new personal highs in the 100 meters.
Cameron Alexander, Jaleel Murphy, and Kevin Richardson all bested their previous highs in the 100 meters with Alexander placing a team-high 13th in the event with a time of 10.74 seconds. Richardson followed Alexander with a time of 10.90, and Murphy recorded a new personal record of 10.99 seconds.
Devin Christopher was the other Ram from the men's team to set a new personal record as he bested his previous time in the 200 meters with a new time of 21.96 seconds. Christopher placed 15th overall in the finals of the event.
Meet Summary / Up Next
Overall, Mobile competed against 17 other schools in the Bulldog Relays, with several of those being NCAA Division I programs. Similar to the first couple of meets of the season, Mobile found more success and continue to trend upwards throughout the 2022 season.
Both teams at Mobile return to action next weekend for a two-day meet at the Southern Miss Invitational in Hattiesburg, Miss. The meet is scheduled for Apr. 1-2.
Mobile Rams to Qualify for 2022 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Nationals (thus far):
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted, and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions, and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
