SMCC Track Team Wins Five Gold Medals

If there was any remaining doubt that Southwest Mississippi Community College is a force to be reckoned with in the world of community/junior college track and field, it was wiped away at the NJCAA Outdoor Championships at Hutchinson (KS) Community College Saturday. The Bears and Lady Bears combined to win gold medals in five events as well as a silver and two bronze medals.

Southwest was led by Auburn University-signee Sheniqua Ferguson. For the second year in a row, Ferguson won the national championships in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Her times were 11.48 in the 100 and 23.54 in the 200. She also ran the final leg of the 4x100 relay as the Lady Bears took gold in that event with a time of 44.43. Ferguson was also named an All-American for her golds and, for the second year in a row, was named the women's championship MVP.

Rebecca Alexander took first place, and was named All-American, in the 400 meter dash with a time of 53.17. She also picked up a gold as part of the 4x100 squad and was second to Ferguson in the 200 with a time of 23.90, picking up All-American honors in those events as well. Also running in the 4x100, and named All-American, were Krystal Bodie and Taneisha Baker. Baker was named an Honorable Mention All-American with her bronze medal in the 200 with a time of 23.93.

On the men's side, Jamal Wilson won the gold medal, and received All-American honors, in the high jump with a leap of 6' 10 3/4". Woodrow Randall took the bronze, and an Honorable Mention All-American award, with a time of 10.30 in the 100 meter dash.

In addition to the medal winners, Southwest had several other Top Ten finishes on the men's side. Andrew Hughes finished fifth in the pole vault, Antoine Guice seventh in the 400 meter dash, Tyler Alexander fourth in the 100 and Gregory Hunt fifth in the 200. The men's 4x400 team finished sixth. Also advancing to the finals of their events were Bodie (100 meter hurdles), Ramon Crockett (long jump) and the men's 4x100 team which took the bronze medal.

The Lady Bears finished fifth place overall while the Bears were seventh. Winning the overall titles for the men and women was South Plains College of Levelland, TX.