BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Mississippi College Track and Field is gearing up for another exciting competition as they prepare to participate in the Samford Open, scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 2024. The meet will kick off at 10:00 AM Central Time and will take place at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama, hosted by Samford University.

The Choctaws have been on a roll this season, already making their mark with 34 performances added to the Mississippi College Indoor Track and Field Top-10 list, including a remarkable school record set by Emily Berry in the Women's 3,000-meter run.

PRE-MEET NOTES:

• Josie Whipp enters the Women's 5,000m run as the No. 1 seed, and is set to lead a strong contingent of Lady Choctaw distance runners. 
• Alana Green, a standout short-sprinter ranked No. 2 all-time in school history in the Women's 60m dash, will lead a formidable group in the women's short sprints. Keep an eye on her as she also competes in the fastest section of the 200m dash.
• Hilary Udechukwu, holding the No. 2 all-time position in the Women's 400m dash in school history, is set to showcase her skills in her specialty event.
• 400m specialists Connor Stewart and Grayson Foster, the current leader in the GSC in the 400m and recent GSC Freshman of the week, will compete in the fastest section of the 400m dash. They will also play a crucial role in the 4x400m relay.
• Fabio Palmieri, a versatile athlete and member of the top-10 all-time program lists in five different events, will open his 2024 track and field campaign in the fast section of the Men's 200m dash before leading the Men's 4x400m relay.
• Reigning GSC Champion and school record holder in the Indoor Pole Vault, Ben Woolhouse, will make his 2024 track and field debut in the pole vault, entering competition as the No. 3 seed.
• The Choctaws will boast a strong presence in the throws events, led by Jake Keesee (No. 3 All-time in Men's Weight Throw) and Bryan Puckett (No. 5 All-time in Men's Shot Put and recent GSC Freshman of the Week).

All in all, the 2024 Samford Open promises to be a thrilling event where Mississippi College Track and Field aims to continue their impressive run of success this season. 

FOLLOW THE CHOCTAWS

For complete coverage of Mississippi College Track & Field, follow the Choctaws on social media @GoChoctaws_XCTF(Twitter) and @gochoctaws_xctf (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mississippi College athletics at gochoctaws.com.