VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Three student-athletes from Mississippi College represented the Choctaws on the national stage over the weekend, competing at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

Senior Lauren Wallace and senior Gabe Hodson both advanced through Friday's preliminary rounds to earn spots in Saturday's finals, while freshman Schyler Chambers competed in the men's triple jump final on Saturday.

Wallace opened the championships Friday afternoon in the first round of the women's mile. The senior finished third in her heat with a time of 4:48.31, earning an automatic qualifying spot for the final and placing sixth overall in the preliminaries.

In Saturday's championship race, Wallace recorded a 4:48.82 to place eighth in the nation, earning All-America honors and scoring a point for Mississippi College.

Later Friday, Hodson competed in the preliminaries of the men's 800 meters. The senior ran 1:49.33 to advance to Saturday's final.

Hodson returned to the track Saturday and finished seventh in the nation with a time of 1:50.08, earning First Team All-America honors and collecting two team points for the Choctaws.

Chambers rounded out the Mississippi College competitors Saturday morning in the men's triple jump. The freshman recorded a top mark of 14.61 meters (47 feet, 11¼ inches) to place 15th nationally.

Chambers entered the national meet ranked 17th in the field, improving two positions from his projected finish while competing in his first NCAA Indoor Championships. His performance highlights a promising future ahead for the Choctaw freshman in the event.

Mississippi College's trio capped a strong indoor season by competing among the nation's best in Virginia Beach, with Wallace and Hodson both advancing to the finals and Hodson earning First Team All-America recognition.