BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mississippi College track and field delivered a strong showing at the 2026 Samford Open over the weekend, posting multiple event victories, school records, and conference-leading performances against a deep field inside the Birmingham CrossPlex.
On the women's side, freshman Mallory Dial continued her breakout indoor season by winning the high jump with a clearance of 1.70 meters. The mark was a personal record and tied the Mississippi College school record. Dial currently ranks first in the Gulf South Conference and 13th nationally in NCAA Division II.
Senior Lauren Wallace turned in one of the top performances of the meet in the women's mile, placing second with a time of 4:52.51. Wallace's run broke the school record and now ranks third in the GSC and ninth nationally in Division II.
Distance standout Bre Bell captured the event win in the women's 3,000 meters, running a personal-best 9:50.71. Bell's time ranks 14th nationally and second in the GSC.
In the weight throw, Kennedy Thompson recorded a personal-best mark of 17.25 meters to finish third overall, moving her to No. 1 in the GSC rankings. Fellow freshman Haylei Mason added a sixth-place finish with a personal record of 8.90 meters, ranking third in the conference.
In the sprints, Alana Green posted an indoor personal record of 24.91 in the 200 meters, a mark that currently ranks first in the GSC. Elyse Dorris also notched a personal-best 26.26 in the 200 meters, while Jane Matthew Reed shaved nearly three seconds off her previous best in the 400 meters with a PR of 1:00.77.
On the men's side, Mississippi College continued to post multiple personal records and conference-leading marks. Freshman Brodie Roberts finished 12th overall in the 60 meters, clocking a personal-best time of 6.92.
In the throws, Brett Tyler turned in a personal-best performance in the shot put, recording a mark of 12.57 meters (41 feet, 3 inches) to place 25th overall.
James David Miller recorded a personal-best throw of 18.16 meters in the weight throw, a mark that ranks first in the GSC.
Freshman Tristan Jusino-Lansing placed fourth in the 60-meter hurdles with a personal-best performance, ranking second in the conference. He also clocked an 8.17 later in the weekend.
Matthew Singletary added another personal record for the Choctaws, running 8:33.96 in the men's 3,000 meters. Singletary placed fourth overall and now ranks seventh in the GSC.
"We had a lot of athletes take big steps forward this weekend," said head coach Joe Snyder. "To see personal records, school records, and conference-leading marks this early in the season shows the work our student-athletes have put in. We're excited about the momentum we're building and know there's still more in the tank."
Up Next
Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Pitt State Invitational in Pittsburg, Kan., with competition set to begin at 10 a.m.
