No. 15 Eagles Win Four Events at Samford Open, Own Four NJCAA Top-5 Marks
Meridian, Miss. — The Meridian Community College men's indoor track & field team remains among the nation's elite.
The Eagles checked in at No. 15 in this week's updated USTFCCCA poll and continued to prove why they belong there with four event victories Saturday at the Samford Bulldog Open in Birmingham, Ala., competing against four-year universities and junior colleges.
Sophomore T.J. Autrey led the charge with a first-place finish in the men's high jump, clearing 2.16 meters. That mark stands as the No. 1 high jump in the NJCAA this season.
Sophomore Khiyon Lewis claimed the men's long jump title with a mark of 7.12 meters, while sophomore Kane Hill won the men's triple jump at 15.08 meters — currently the fourth-best mark in the NJCAA this year.
The Eagles also captured the men's 4x400-meter relay, as Antoine Spillman, Jaden King, Jamir Haskin, and Tyran Sherrod crossed the line in 3:16.69 to secure another victory for Meridian.
In addition to Saturday's wins, Meridian now holds four marks ranked inside the NJCAA Top 5 this season across multiple meets:
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T.J. Autrey — High Jump (2.16m) — No. 1
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Jamari Page — 60m Hurdles (7.83) — No. 4
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Kane Hill — Triple Jump (15.08m) — No. 4
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Khiyon Lewis — Triple Jump (15.04m) — No. 5
Head coach Chip Gayden praised the steady growth of his team throughout the indoor season.
"Our guys are competing at a high level every time they step on the track," Gayden said. "To be ranked in the top 15 and to have multiple top-five marks nationally shows the work they've put in. They're representing Meridian the right way."
The Eagles will close out the regular indoor season Friday at the LSU Twilight in Baton Rouge, La., before heading to the NJCAA Indoor National Championships in Topeka, Kan., March 6-7.
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