BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Mississippi College Track and Field continues to shine as Taylor Benoit and Grayson Foster are recognized for their outstanding performances at the 2024 South Carolina Garnet Invitational in Columbia, SC. Benoit, hailing from French Camp, MS, was awarded the Gulf South Conference (GSC) Women's Track Athlete of the Week, while Foster, a freshman from Madison, MS, secured the GSC Men's Freshman of the Week accolade.
This marks Foster's second time this season receiving the GSC Men's Freshman of the Week award and the fifth time this season that a Mississippi College athlete has been honored in this category. On the other hand, this weekly award marks a first for Benoit's career to be a recipient, and she did so well-deservingly. Moreover, this is the second time this season that Mississippi College has received the Women's Track Athlete of the Week award, as Benoit now joins ranks with Women's 3,000-meter school record holder Emily Berry.
Benoit's remarkable performance in the Women's 1-mile run at the South Carolina Invitational saw her clinch victory with a stellar time of 4:54.09, setting a lifetime best and achieving an NCAA DII Provo mark. Her outstanding time also stands as the second fastest ever run by a Mississippi College female in the Women's 1-mile run. Benoit's success extends to the Women's 800m run, where she secured another lifetime best to finish as the overall runner-up, further solidifying her position as a standout athlete in the Gulf South Conference.
Additionally, Benoit contributed to the success of the Distance Medley Relay squad, propelling them to the sixth-fastest time in the country alongside her teammates Jazmin Russell, Lauren Wallace, and Bre Bell.
Meanwhile, Foster showcased his talent in the Men's 400-meter dash, achieving an impressive time of 47.88 seconds, earning him an NCAA DII Provo mark and the prestigious GSC No. 1 spot. Foster's performance also ranks second fastest in program history, placing him 12th nationally in his specialty event. Demonstrating his versatility, Foster excelled in the Men's 4x400-meter relay, aiding his team of Gabe Hodson, Connor Stewart, and Evan Wrights in achieving another NCAA DII Provo mark at 3:13.78, the third fastest in program history and 13th nationally.
Looking ahead, Mississippi College Track and Field will compete in the upcoming Pitt State Gorilla Invitational in Pittsburg, KS, on February 10-11. The Choctaws are poised to excel in relay events and aim to secure further national qualifying marks, continuing their impressive season.
