Mississippi Christian University

Mississippi College Track and Field proudly announces that their athletes have dominated this week's Gulf South Conference (GSC) Athlete of the Week awards by winning all six categories. The talented athletes who received the honors are Essence Tornabene, Kelechi Christian, Haley Hall, Al Ferrill, Niklas Klei, and Jake Keesee. Essence Tornabene has been named the Women's Field Athlete of the Week. The Kissimmee, Florida native broke school records in Women's Shot Put and Hammer Throw at the Southern Miss Invitational, achieving the NCAA Division II provisional standard in the Hammer Throw with an impressive toss of 53.01 meters. Tornabene now ranks 1st in the GSC and 15th nationally for the Hammer, and 3rd in the conference for both Shot Put and Discus. Kelechi Christian earned the Women's Track Athlete of the Week title, having run NCAA Division II provisional marks in the 100m and 200m at the Southern Miss Invitational. She is the only athlete in the GSC to achieve provisional marks in the 100m, 200m, and 400m this season. Christian won the 200m and placed 2nd in the 100m at the meet. She now ranks 17th nationally in the 200m and 22nd in the 100m. Freshman sensation Haley Hall secured the Women's Freshman of the Week award with her exceptional fourth-place finish in both the High Jump and 800m run at the Southern Miss Invitational. As the highest-ranking freshman in both competitions, Hall currently holds the fourth spot in the GSC for the 800m run and High Jump. Niklas Klei claimed the Men's Track Athlete of the Week honor after setting a school record in the 400m dash, winning the Southern Miss Invitational in 46.89 seconds. Klei now leads the GSC in the event and ranks 5th in NCAA Division II. He also achieved a lifetime best in the 200m and contributed to the Men's 4x100m relay, which hit the NCAA Division II provisional standard. Al Ferrill was awarded Men's Field Athlete of the Week. Ferrill set GSC-leading conference marks in Men's Shot Put, Hammer Throw, and Discus at the Southern Miss Invitational. He also moved up to No. 2 All-time in Mississippi College history for the Men's Hammer Throw. Lastly, Jake Keesee earned the Men's Freshman of the Week title, ranking as the top freshman in the GSC in Men's Hammer Throw (3rd overall) and Discus (4th overall), and sixth overall in Shot Put. Additionally, because of his outstanding performance at the Southern Miss Invitational, Keesee is also the third-ranked freshman in NCAA Division II in the Men's Hammer Throw. Mississippi College congratulates these outstanding athletes for their dedication and hard work, and their exceptional performances have created momentum for the program that they will likely bring into their next competition.

The Gulf South Conference announced its Women's Tennis Players of the Week on Wednesday with Mississippi College's Anna Hudson, from Ocean Springs, Miss., being named the GSC Freshman of the Week for thee second time in her freshman campaign. Hudson helped Mississippi College upset No. 14 St. Mary's (Texas) during the week, securing the deciding point for a 4-3 victory. The result is considered as the biggest win in the program-history as member of Division II. The freshman tallied a 2-2 record for the week on court six in singles play, knocking off Alcorn State's Jaime Edwards (W, 6-4, 6-0) and STMU's Alessia Karol Terlizzi (6-7 (5), 6-2, 4-2, Ret.).

Mississippi College tennis entered Thursday afternoon with a pair of nationally ranked programs and came away with two wins as the #10 Lady Choctaws defeated Montevallo 5-2 while the #32 ranked men won 4-3. The women turned in two wins out of three courts in doubles play, with Ely Alas and Fernanda Cota defeating Mireia Turro and Cuba Ozzor 6-2 at #1 doubles. MC picked up their second win at #2 doubles with Gabrielle Geolier and Emma Roberts taking the court win over Emily Hafner and Lieselotte Hartlohner by a score of 6-0. In singles play, MC took court wins at #1-3 and at #6 as Alas won 6-3, 6-2, at #1 singles over Mireia Turro. Emma Roberts won 7-5, 6-0 at #2 singles, while Cota won 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 at #3, and Maria Rodriquez defeating London Breedlove 7-6, 6-2 at #6 singles. On the men's side, MC took an early 1-0 advantage in doubles, winning at #2 and #3 doubles, as Hsiang Yi Wang and Alvaro Saint Martin won at #2 doubles, 6-2, over Dylan Kamel and Paul Sobich, while Joe Jarvis and Antoine Nivault pulled the win off, 6-1, and #3 doubles. In singles, #23 Rafael Sabio defeated Julius Ziebart 6-2, 6-3 at #2 singles, with Jarvis taking #3 singles over Jules Dugue, 6-4, 6-4, and Felipe Iser winning at #5 singles, 6-3, 6-3, over Fabricio Sosa. MC took the win by a final of 4-3 over the Falcons, improving to 6-4 overall and 3-0 in GSC play. The Lady Choctaws moved to 10-1 on the season and 3-0 in GSC play with the 5-2 win. The men return to action on Sunday, March 19 at home versus Ouachita Baptist at 12 p.m. at the MC Tennis Complex with the women taking on Blue Mountain College on March 23 at home beginning at 2 p.m.

Budding entrepreneurs in the School of Business at Mississippi College are refining their business acumen while developing what could become the next great commercial startup idea by competing in the NextUP! Student Pitch Competition in Hattiesburg April 13.

The Mississippi College baseball team opened its three-game, Gulf South Conference series against Lee University with a 5-2 victory on Friday, March 24 at Larry Carpenter Stadium at Olympic Field. The win gives the Blue and Gold its second straight and 12th in the all-time series. MC now holds a 12-11 advantage over the Flames (15-13, 6-7 GSC) in the series. A trio of Choctaw (9-19, 5-8 GSC) recorded multiple hits on the afternoon led by JT Vance going 4-for-5 with two runs. The Union, Miss., native is the second MC player to recorded four hits this season as he joins Bridley Thomas, who accomplished the feat on Feb. 14. It is the team-best, ninth multiple-hit contest for Vance this season. Kolby McWilliams and Beau Kirsch joined Vance with multiple hits as they each logged a pair of hits. McWilliams provided the only multi-RBI effort as he drove in two. It's the fourth multi-hit effort for each of them this season and McWilliams' third multi-RBI performance. Caleb Jacobs (2-0) drew the start on the rubber and struck out a season-high six in seven innings as he scattered three hits and allowed just one run. Jackson Smith (1) picked up the second Choctaw save of the season as he allowed just a hit, run and struck out one in two innings of relief. MC jumped on the board early as it plated three runs in the top of the second. McWilliams got the scoring output started with a single up the middle that scooted Vance across the dish. The squad then capitalized on LU miscues to capture the two remaining runs. The Choctaw totaled two hits in frame and exploited two errors into the early advantage. It expanded on the lead in the top of the sixth as McWilliams and Bryce LaRocca each collected RBI hits that led to a 5-0 lead. The knocks were among a four-hit frame for the Blue and Gold. The Flames broke into the scoring column in the home-half of the frame on a Brandon Daniels' RBI-single through the right side, one of his team-best two hits in the game. The final LU run came on a Riley Black solo home run in the ninth. Cameron Land (2-2) garnered the loss in the game as he surrendered three runs - two earned - on five hits in five innings.

Mississippi College Track and Field's distance runners delivered an exceptional performance at the Belhaven Invitational on Saturday, March 25, with two event wins, 15 top-five finishes, and several lifetime bests. Josie Whipp led the charge, claiming victory in the Women's 5K with a season's best time of 18:44.9. Not far behind was Ava Dickerson, the Mississippi College Women's 3K Steeplechase record holder, who dominated the Women's 1500m, leading wire-to-wire and crossed the finish line in a blazing 5:00.1. Mississippi College freshman Maggie Triplett took runner-up in a lifetime best performance of 5:02.8, and Leslie Baxter took third, 5:04.7. Other notable performances include Baxter Friedman getting two Top-3 finishes bests in the Men's 1500m and Men's 800m, while Wyatt Whipp, Shana Sellers, all Caroline Perry also went home with heat wins in their respective events. Moreover, several Choctaw achieved lifetime bests during the Belhaven Invitational. Most importantly, the Choctaws showcased their talent and gained invaluable experience that will serve them well in future competitions. As the Mississippi College Track and Field team looks ahead to the Southern Miss Invitational, they will undoubtedly build upon their successes from the Belhaven Invitational, continuing to elevate their performance and drive the team to new heights.

The Mississippi College Track and Field team had a stellar performance at the prestigious Ole Miss Classic, breaking three school records, securing 12 top-five finishes, and achieving 18 lifetime bests. Standout Choctaw Kelechi Christian shattered the school record in the Women's 400m dash, winning the Ole Miss Classic with a blazing time of 55.19 seconds. Christian, a recent 2023 NCAA Division II All-American in the indoor 200m, now ranks No. 4 in the NCAA Division II in the event. Her record-breaking performance is now her fifth school record this season, including the Women's 60-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, and 4x400-meter relay during the indoor season, and now outdoor 400-meter dash. It should also be noted that Christian currently holds the Women's 200-meter dash in outdoors at 23.99 seconds. In the field events, Essence Tornabene made some noise by rebreaking her Women's Hammer Throw and Shot Put school records with impressive distances of 159-09 and 41-8.75, respectively. This is Tornabene's second meet in a row in which she has broken a school record, and the fourth school record for the Lady Choctaws' throws program just this outdoor season. The Men's 4x100-meter relay team, consisting of Shemar Patten, Niklas Klei, Fabio Palmieri, and Kevin Turner, delivered another noteworthy performance, winning their event in a swift 40.96 seconds. This victory now places them at No. 8 in NCAA Division II rankings, showcasing the depth of the Mississippi College men's short sprints squad. Additional standout competitors included Fabio Palmieri, Jazmin Hernandez, Tytavia Hardy, Al Ferrill, and the Men's 4x400-meter relay team of Gabe Hodson, Brandon Williams, Fabio Palmieri, and Connor Stewart. Each of these athletes contributed to the team's success with GSC-leading performances in their respective events. It should also be noted that fellow Choctaws Nicole Morris, Kevin Turner, and Timothy Young own GSC-leading marks from previous competitions. The Mississippi College Track and Field team will look to build on their successes at the Ole Miss Classic as they prepare for the Southern Miss Invitational to be held in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Friday, March 31, to Saturday, April 1.

An award ceremony was the last thing on Evan Warnick's mind when he elected to participate in service organizations at Mississippi College. Volunteering comes naturally to the senior kinesiology/pre-physical therapy major from Tupelo. So, when he received the Student Experience Servant Leadership Award during the Student Experience Awards Gala last year, he was floored. "Hearing my name called for an award was an honor," the 2022 Welcome Week co-chair said. "I never thought I would be a part of such a wonderful ceremony celebrating some of the leaders and servants on campus, and I was surprised that I would be among such outstanding individuals. "Highlighting organizations and leaders shows that Mississippi College is an institution that truly cares for them and does not take their hard work for granted. These amazing people have worked hard to make their organizations and leadership roles run smoothly, and I am glad there is a space and time to celebrate them for that hard work." The Division of Student Experience will recognize outstanding student leaders of all classifications who have contributed to campus life at MC during its fourth Student Experience Awards Gala on Thursday, April 20, in Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center. According to Jonathan Ambrose, associate vice president for the student experience and dean of students at MC, the ceremony has continued to grow each year. "We wanted to take the opportunity to recognize some of our stellar students," said Ambrose, who conceived of the gala. "We started by presenting some of the major awards that have been a staple at Mississippi College for many years - the Hall of Fame and Founders Award. "We recognized we were graduating some outstanding people who had done some amazing things on this campus and have given back to MC, so we decided to create some other awards to help recognize some of these students." This year, a dozen different awards will be presented to faculty, staff, and students who have illustrated by their actions what Mississippi College's culture of service and commitment to the cause of Christ truly means. "It's an amazing night to close the year out by honoring some of the best of the best of Mississippi College that have given back so much during their time here," Ambrose said. What makes the event special for Jonathan Nutt, assistant dean of students in the Office of Student Engagement, are the reactions from parents when their students' names are called. "The surprise on their faces is great, especially when they hear how their students have impacted the campus," Nutt said. "Watching the parents get emotional, seeing how very proud of their students they are . . . of course, it's cool to see the students be excited and honored by the awards as well." The Division of Student Experience solicits award nominations from the entire Mississippi College campus community, and a committee of staff members selects the winners from among the nominees. A student committee helps choose the Hall of Fame inductees. Those honored at the gala receive a standard invitation and the option to invite up to three guests, but the identities of the award recipients are kept confidential until they are announced during the ceremony. Warnick said the custom lends a welcome bit of intrigue to the ceremony. "Keeping the identities secret until the event allows us not to get ahead of ourselves," he said. "It lets those being celebrated and their families and friends enjoy the moment. "We do not get galas and award ceremonies every day - it makes each memory made at these ceremonies much sweeter." New this year are a pair of awards presented by the Office of Student Success. The Student Success Champion Award will recognize one MC faculty member and one MC staff member for promoting a holistic student experience and creating an environment that supports success in school and in life. For the first time, the editor of the "Tribesman" will formally announce the MC faculty or staff member to whom the MC student yearbook will be dedicated. Warnick said it's fitting that contributions made by faculty and staff members to the MC experience will be recognized alongside those of students. "The awards gala is a physical representation of the respect, love, and appreciation we have for all of those who serve Mississippi College, the city of Clinton, and the Jackson metropolitan area," he said. "I never want to take for granted the hard work that the students and organizations do day in and day out, and I am fortunate to be able to see some of the work that is shaping the culture of Mississippi College." Ambrose said the gala reflects the excellence of those who call Mississippi College home. "I tell people all the time the product that we produce in our students is the best in the world," he said. "It's incredible to stand before these students and recognize them for it. That is the culmination of their time at Mississippi College. "Many of these students have given much to make Mississippi College what it is. They are cemented in the tradition and history of this storied University, and to watch that come full circle is incredible." Awards to be presented during the gala include: Established in 1960, the Hall of Fame is awarded to four senior students - two female and two male - for outstanding leadership ability, scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, participation and contribution to student life, and dedication to serving God and their fellow man. Among the highest honors to be presented at MC, Hall of Fame members are chosen by a select student committee. The Scott-Swor Founder's Award recognizes a senior student for making a significant contribution to the student life of the college and exemplifying the ideals of the University's founders and their successors, quality of living, leadership, and service. The award is named in memory of Dr. Charles W. Scott, who served the MC community for 30 years, and Dr. Chester E. Swor, a Baptist evangelist, alumnus, and former MC faculty member. Senior Awards of Excellence in Leadership are presented to senior students who distinguish themselves by their visionary leadership on campus and their vision of greatness. The Community Impact Award recognizes a student who has devoted his or her time and energy to serving the greater Jackson metropolitan area and empower members of the MC community to love their neighbors in tangible, life-changing ways. Student Experience Servant Leadership Awards acknowledge sophomore and junior students who have served the campus as a whole and are actively leading through engagement, service to the institution, and living MC's Christian mission. The Freshman of the Year Awards recognize one female and one male student for their ability to emulate the vision and mission of the University throughout their first year at Mississippi College. Spirit of MC Awards are presented to freshmen students who have ignited their college careers at MC, stepping into their roles as young leaders by cultivating a positive atmosphere and experience for their classes and the campus community. The Student Organization Award of Excellence acknowledges a registered MC student organization committed to the continued advancement of MC's mission and the engagement of the student body in the vision of the student organization. The Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award of Excellence recognizes a faculty or staff sponsor of an MC student organization, club, or tribe who goes "above and beyond" to assist students and contribute to the life of the student organization he or she advises. The Community Partner of the Year Award is presented to a local business or organization that has served MC with excellence throughout the academic year. The Perry Academic Awards were established by Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Perry (Marion Walter Perry '32 and Effie Elaine McDonald Perry '33) to recognize scholastic achievement at Mississippi College. Student Success Champion Awards recognize one full-time faculty member and one full-time staff member engaged with undergraduate and/or graduate students at MC for their exceptional activities that involve broad, collaborative participation supporting a sustained commitment to student success.

Mississippi College women's golf finished third overall at the 2023 Hal Sutton Invitational, finishing the week with a score of 675 and just two strokes behind first place winner Tyler JC and second place Hardin-Simmons. Sarah Hodson had a stellar event, finishing the Invite as the overall women's champion, beating out Tyler Junior College's Jordan Davis in a playoff - one hole to win the women's individual title. Hodson shot an overall score of 80 in the opening round of the event before capping off day two with a score of 80 to finish the event at +16 and bringing home the indiviual title. Hannah Hinckley tallied an 81 on day one and another 81 in the second round of the Invite, placing third overall as she finished just two strokes behind Hodson. Lydia Welborn finished inside the top 10, placing T7, after shooting an 86 to start the week before finishing with an 81 for the final round. Miriam McCoy shot an 97 and a 91 for the week, placing 20th overall individually, while Ellie Smith capped off the event for the Lady Choctaws in 23rd place with scores of 95 and 99. MC returns to the course on April 3-4 at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn. The Lady Choctaws will tee off at The Hermitage Golf Club beginning at 9 a.m. CST.

The Mississippi College Track and Field program is thrilled to announce that Al Ferrill, Kelechi Christian, and Head Coach Matthew Reneker have received Gulf South Conference (GSC) Indoor Track and Field Yearly Awards. Ferrill was named the Men's Field Athlete of the Year, Christian won the Women's Track Athlete of the Year, and Coach Reneker was awarded Men's Coach of the Year after leading the men's team to its second GSC title in three years. Ferrill had a standout season, ending the year leading the GSC in both the Men's Shot Put and Men's Weight Throw, hitting provisional standard marks in both events. He went on to win both events at the 2023 GSC Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning him the Men's Field Performer of the Meet. The Tickfaw, La. native also broke the school records in both events this season. Christian was the only athlete in the entire GSC to hit the provisional standard in the 60-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and 400-meter dash, and ended the year ranked in the top three in each event in the GSC. At the 2023 GSC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Christian won the Women's 400-meter dash, landed on the podium in the Women's 200-meter dash, and scored in both the Women's 60-meter dash and Women's 4x400m relay. She also broke the school record in every event from the 60-meter dash to the 400-meter dash, including the 4x400m relay. Lastly, Christian was recently announced as a qualifier for the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in the Women's 200-meter dash. Coach Reneker led the men's team to their second GSC title in three years, with several athletes earning All-GSC finishes, as well as a total of 33 school records during the 2022-23 season. "I would first and foremost like to thank my hard-working staff that I have been blessed to work with," expressed Reneker. "I am also incredibly proud of Al, Kelechi, and the program as a whole for their hard work and achievements this season." The Mississippi College Track and Field program is excited about these awards and the bright future ahead. The team is looking forward to continuing their success in the upcoming outdoor season, as well as the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Mississippi College used the long ball to clinch a 12-5, series finale win over Valdosta State University on Sunday, Feb. 19 to gather its first Gulf South Conference decision of the season. MC improved to 3-8 on the season and 1-2 in league play. The Blazers fall to 7-3 and 2-1. The Choctaw belted four home runs in the contest, including two off the bat of JT Vance, as it moved its GSC-leading total to 17 on the season. It is the third time on the campaign that the team has hit multiple home runs in a game. The victory gave the Blue and Gold its first in Valdosta since Apr. 2, 2017 and snapped a five-game slide at Tommy Thomas Park. Vance, who went 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs on the day, got the scoring started early with a two-run home run in the first trip to the plate. The Blazers cut the lead in half in the home half of the frame and the narrow margin held until the top of the fourth when the Blue and Gold erupted for six runs in the fourth as Vance, Bridley Thomas and Tristan Tigrett each drove in runs during the spurt. After VSU got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, the Choctaw belted back-to-back-to-back home runs in the fifth to expand the deficit to 12-2. Jordan Rollins hit a two-run home run to start the scoring in the frame as Tigrett and Vance followed with solo shots. It marked the second RBI of the day for Tigrett as he, Thomas and Rollins each joined Vance with multiple RBI. The Red and Black added a run in the fifth, seventh and ninth in an effort to rally, but it would fall short and fail in the series-sweep attempt. Austin Huggins (2-0) picked up the win on the mound with three innings in relief. He allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one. VSU compiled nine hits on the day led at the plate by Jovanni Canegitta with two hits.

Mississippi College swept Harding on Monday, February 20th, with the men defeating HU 4-3 on the court while the women improved to 4-0 on the season with a 6-1 win. Harding jumped out early on the men's side, sweeping all three court in doubles, as HU took the early 1-0 lead. Rafael Sabio got things started for MC in singles play, winning #2 singles (6-3, 6-3), with Joe Jarvis tying the match up at 2-2 with a win at #3 singles. Antoine Nivault won (6-4, 6-3) at #4 singles, before Brady McDaniel clinched the final match point for the Choctaws with a win at #6 singles (6-3, 4-6, 6-1). The Lady Choctaws continued their winning streak, starting off with a 1-0 lead with wins at #1 doubles by Ely Alas/Fernanda Cota (6-2) and at #3 doubles by Anna Valiaeva/Anna Hudson (6-1). In singles play, Ely Alas picked up an early win at #1 singles, winning 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (4). MC went on to win courts #3-6 as Cota defeated Yang, 6-2, 6-1 at #3 single while Gabrielle Geolier beat Pecsi 6-1, 6-0 at #4. Anna Valiaeva won 6-2, 6-1 in # 5 singles play with Anna Hudson capturing the final singles point 6-0, 6-1, as MC went onto defeat Harding by a final of 6-1. The men improved to 2-2 on the season, knocking off Harding who had a bid in for the Top 25, while the women move to a perfect 4-0 on the season.

Mississippi College won a pair of games against Shorter on Saturday, winning game one by a final of 8-0 in five innings and 3-2 in in game two. In game one, MC plated five runs in the second inning with the help of a two RBI double by Camryn Bailey, a run scored by Alexis Laughlin, and a two RBI double by Brooke Fagan to left field. Jordan Moore homered in the third inning, a solo shot, giving MC the 6-0 lead after three innings. The Lady Choctaws added two more runs in the fourth inning, including a home run by McCall Lee, as MC went on to win 8-0. Bailey, on top of her two RBI's at the plate, improved to 7-1 overall in the circle, going all five innings with seven strikeouts. Her no hitter was broken up in the the fifth inning, surrendering just two hits in the inning and in the game. In game two, Shorter jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning before a Jaycee Dill solo home run in the third inning cut the score back down to a 2-1 deficit. Jordan LaFosse added two more runs in the inning on a double to centerfield, scoring Jenna Ergle and Brooke Fagan to take a 3-2 lead. Avery Barnett shut the Hawks down the remainder of the way, going the complete game, giving up five hits and striking out six batters. Barnett improved to 3-3 in the circle with the win.

Mississippi College continued their winning ways on Sunday, defeating Shorter in game three by a final score of 10-2 in five innings. The Lady Choctaws completed the series sweep after wins of 8-0 in game one and 3-2 in game two on Friday. Trailing 1-0 over the top half of the first inning, Brooke Fagan put MC on the board with a solo home run to centerfield, tying the game up at 1-1. In the second inning, Kamryn Eaton doubled to centerfield, scoring Jordan Moore as MC took a 2-1 lead. Shorter tied the game up at 2-2 in the third inning but a two run double by McCall Lee in the third inning once again put MC on top 4-2. MC plated three runs in the fourth inning and three more runs again in the fifth inning, handling their business, on their way to a 10-2 five inning win over the Lady Hawks. Camryn Bailey (8-1) picked up the win in the circle, her eighth of the season, going 2.2 innings with no runs allowed, one hit given up and one strikeout.

The Mississippi College baseball team continued its unbeaten streak during midweek contests as it run-ruled No. 3 Southern Arkansas, 16-3, in the seven-inning contest. The win improved MC to 5-10 on the season while the Muleriders fall to 10-4. Three Choctaw posted multiple-hit performances in the contest as Alex McWhorter, Jordan Rollins and Rhett Birdsong tallied two hits each. Rollins led the team with four RBI in the contest followed by Caleb Reese with three. Bridley Thomas and McWhorter rounded out the multi-RBI efforts with a pair. Seven hurlers took the bump on the day with each drawing an inning of work. Kade Linn (2-0) logged the victory as he held SAU to a scoreless and hitless frame on just 10 pitches. He also added a strikeout. The unit held the nationally-ranked Muleriders to four hits through seven innings. SAU took an early lead in the game with two runs in its first trip to the plate. MC answered with a run in the bottom of the second to cut the lead in and half and then plastered five runs on the board in the bottom of the third and never looked back. Rollins headlined the inning with one of his two home runs in the contest - a three-run shot. The Blue and Gold posted crooked numbers in four of the six innings at the plate and scored in six. After the Muleriders plated their final run of the game in the fourth, MC added 10 unanswered runs over the course of the next three frames. Reese added a three-run home run in the fourth and Rollins belted his second of the day - this time a solo homer - to start a three-run inning in the fifth. Bridley Thomas capped the scoring in the fifth with a sacrifice fly to left that scored Birdsong. MC manufactured the four runs in the sixth inning as Birdsong, Cody Crifasi and Thomas each pushed runs across the dish. Hayden Hable (2-1) was saddled with the loss on the bump. The SAU starter allowed four runs on one hit with three walks and two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. Mississippi College continues its run of ranked opponents as its hosts the University of Tampa in a three-game series, beginning on Friday, March 3. First pitch is at 3 p.m.

Cortney Alford, a December 2022 graduate of Mississippi College, was recently accepted to Physical Therapy School at the University of Central Arkansas.

Jamey Cobb, a biology/pre-med major and member of the class of 2023, was recently accepted into the University of Mississippi Medical School.

Evan Warnick, a Kinesiology/pre-physical therapy major and member of the class of 2023, was recently accepted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center Physical Therapy program.

April Lee, a Kinesiology/Pre-Physical Therapy major and member of the class of 2023, was accpeted into the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Physical Therapy.

Wes Miller, a recent graduate of Mississippi College, was accepted into the University of Mississippi College Medical School (UMMC).

Kaitlyn Williamson, a marketing major and class of 2024, recently accepted a Marketing and Communications Internship with FedEx for the summer of 2023.

Lillian Sisson, a Kinesiology Pre-Phyiscal Therapy major and member of the class of 2023, was recently accepted into the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Physical Therapy.

The Gulf South Conference announced its Softball Players of the Week for the 2023 season with Camryn Bailey, from Helena, Ala., being recognized as the GSC Freshman of the Week. This week's awards were for games played between February 1-5. Bailey had a solid collegiate debut in the circle for the Lady Choctaws, going 4-0 with five appearances and three starts. As a result, the rookie registered two shutouts, five strikeouts, allowed one earned run and 13 hits while posting a 0.30 ERA. The Freshman help lead the Lady Choctaws to wins over Harding (4-3, 11 innings), #6 Texas A&M-Kingsville (10-0), Southeastern Oklahoma State (8-0), and Drury (4-2). MC returns to action for the Charger Chillout on Friday with a double-header versus Carson-Newman (12 p.m.) and #20 Lincoln Memorial (5 p.m.) The Lady Choctaws once again will participate in a five game weekend series in Huntsville, Ala. hosted by UAH.

Mississippi College Track and Field received four Gulf South Conference (GSC) Athlete of the Week honors, the most GSC Weekly honors out of any other GSC school for the fourth consecutive week. This also marks the first time this season that any GSC school has received four Track and Field honors in a single week. Kelechi Christian has been lighting the track on fire, and the GSC has taken notice as she was rewarded with her second consecutive GSC Women's Track Athlete of the Week honors. Her most recent performance at the South Carolina Invitational consisted of two school records in the 200-meter and 400-meter dash, sprinting to provisional standard marks of 24.44 and 56.87, respectively. The Lagos, Nigeria native is now ranked No. 11 in the Women's 200-meter dash and No. 33 in NCAA Division II in the Women's 400-meter dash, and now holds every school record from the 60-meter dash to the 400-meter dash. The men's team swept the GSC Athlete of the Week honors with Ben Woolhouse receiving the Men's Field Athlete of the Week, Niklas Klei winning the Men's Track Athlete of the Week, and Cooper Parmer being named the Men's Freshman of the Week. At the Pitt State Invitational, Ben Woolhouse, from Tupelo, Miss., won the Men's Pole Vault over a stacked field in a provisional standard mark of 4.78 meters, just 0.02 meters off of his win and school record of 4.80 meters at the Samford Open. This was the Mississippi College junior's second win and provisional standard mark in a row, and continues to lead the GSC in the event. At that same meet, Cooper Parmer, from Pontotoc, Miss., finished third in section 3 of the Men's 1 mile run in a lifetime best of 4:21.25, earning a top-ten finish overall, and is now the No. 5 Mississippi College freshman performer in the event. The freshman phenom then came back to win section two of the Men's 3,000-meter run in a mark of 8:47.48. Lastly, At the Pitt State Invitational, Niklas Klei, from Kirchlengern, Germany, became the first athlete in NCAA Division II this season to break 47 seconds in the Men's 400-meter dash. He won the competition in a lifetime best and school record of 46.92 seconds, and is ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II. According to TFRRS records, Klei is the first-ever GSC athlete to break 47 seconds in the indoor 400-meter dash. Mississippi College Track and Field has consistently been a top-performing program in the GSC, consistently bringing home multiple Athlete of the Week honors each week. They will now set their sights on the 2023 Gulf South Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama , on February 14th and 15th, where they are poised for a strong showing.

The Mississippi College baseball team erupted for its first win of the 2023 campaign as it blasted Miles College, 23-3, at Historic Rickwood Field on Tuesday, Feb. 7. It is the fifth straight win in the series by MC (1-3) and the ninth all-time against the Golden Bears (2-3). The run total is the most since the 2015 edition plated 25 runs against Tougaloo College on Feb. 7, 2015. It is the most under a Jeremy Haworth-coached program as the previous mark was 21 runs against McKendree on Feb.19, 2018. The Blue and Gold posted crooked numbers in four of the contest's seven innings with a pair six-run frames in third and fourth and two five-run innings in the sixth and to start the game in the first. Four Choctaw recorded multiple-hit efforts led by Beau Bates with three. The Caledonia, Miss., native logged a pair of singles and one of five, extra-bases hits with a double in the sixth. Jordan Rollins joined Bates with a double, Bryce LaRocca and JT Vance each added a triple and Alex McWhorter became the third different Choctaw with a home run this season as he belted a three-run bomb in the first inning. Five MC players notched multi-RBI efforts paced by LaRocca with four runs driven in. McWhorter and Bates joined with three RBI as Rhett Birdsong and Bridley Thomas each pasted two to round out the multi-RBI producers. MC totaled 15 hits for the first time since April 10, 2022 at Delta State. It is the first time with 20-plus runs since Mar. 29, 2021 at Union (Tenn.) University. Austin Huggins (1-0) logged the win on the bump as he allowed three runs - one earned - on three hits with four walks and a strikeout in four innings in the start. Ervin Simmons fanned five and held Miles hitless through two innings of relief. The Golden Bears scratched across two runs in the second to clip the margin to 5-2 through the first two innings. They added their final in the third frame after MC added its first six-run frame in the top half of the inning. LaRocca headlined the frame with a bases-clearing triple that extended the margin to 10-2. A Caleb Reese RBI-single concluded the scoring in the inning. The Choctaw continued to pour it on from there as posted 12 unanswered runs to close the contest. Hagen Gingras paced the Purple and Gold at the plate as he drove in two runs and had one of its three hits on the day. Conner Whitfield (0-1) took the loss on the mound with 2.1 innings of action as he surrendered nine runs on five hits with five walks.

Through a much anticipated and thrilling event, all looked to be done on the night late in the game, but the Choctaws took advantage of opportunities with great defense and quick scoring to take a 64-62 victory over the Lee Flames. In the first half, MC jumped out to a 4-0 start after baskets from Galen Smith, but the Flames rallied back for a 9-4 lead at the 15:51 mark. The Choctaws got hot in the next few minutes with big shots from Miles Miller to cut the lead to 16-12 with 11:57 remaining in the half. MC charged back to end the half on a 19-18 run and a 31-30 lead behind 12 points from Miller. Through the first seven minutes of the second half, the momentum completely changed as Lee found some fire of their own for a 48-37 lead with 12:47 remaining. The two teams battled back and forth until the end where the Choctaws claimed an exciting, star studded two-point victory. The Choctaws were led in scoring by Galen Smith with 17 points, Tradavis Thompson with 10 points, Bee McCrary with 13 points and Justin Reid who gave MC the lead with under 30 seconds finished with 10 points. Miller and McCrary each helped aid in producing a team-high in assists with four on the night, while Miller and Smith each added five rebounds in the win. Asa team, MC shot 24-of-46 from the field, while also collecting 22 points in the paint and 15 points off of the bench. MC improves to 13-12 overall and 9-12 in GSC play. T

The Mississippi College Track and Field carried their momentum to the Pittsburg State Invitational held in Pittsburg, Kansas, adding three school records and recording 14 top-five finishes in a top-tier meet that featured several hundred competitors. Kelechi Christian re-broke her own 60-meter school record that she set one week prior at the Samford Open, sprinting to a mark of 7.60 seconds. With that performance, Christian is now ranked No. 1 in the Gulf South Conference and No. 23 in NCAA Division II. Niklas Klei made history in the Men's 400-meter dash, becoming the first Choctaw to go under 47 seconds in the 400-meter distance. Klei is also the first in NCAA Division II to accomplish this feat, which in turn ranks him as the No. 1 400-meter runner in NCAA Division II. The cherry on top, in the last event for the Choctaws, the Men's 4x400-meter relay of Gabe Hodson, Will Grames, Connor Stewart, and Klei broke the Mississippi College Men's Indoor Track and Field 4x400-meter relay record, running 3:14.71. They now lead the Gulf South Conference, and are ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II. In total, it was another successful outing for the Choctaws, and the Mississippi College Track and Field team has now broken 22 school records during the 2023 Indoor Track and Field season. Assistant Track and Field Coach Amy Withrow *commenting on the experience gained at the highly competitive Pittsburg State Invitational "This meet was super competitive. Our athletes deserved to be there and proved that multiple times. I was proud to see our runners, jumpers, and throwers show up and represent MC the correct way. Very excited for the future." Post-meet Field statistics -Ben Woolhouse won the Men's Pole Vault with a mark of 7.78 meters, just 0.02 meters off his school record that he set one week prior at the Samford Open. -In the Women's Weight Throw, Essence Tornabene threw 16.82 meters, garnering a top-five finish. -Lady Choctaws Haley Hall and Adrianna Burage placed inside the top 10 in the Women's High Jump. Hall, a freshman, hit a lifetime best of 1.57 meters, while Burage recorded a mark of 1.54 meters. -Tytavia Hardy placed inside the top five in the Women's Triple Jump, jumping a season's best of 11.42 meters. -In the Men's Triple Jump, Timothy Young placed sixth overall in a season's best of 14.17 meters. Post-meet Track statistics -In the Women's 1 mile, Jazmin Hernandez and Lauren Wallace made history. For the first time ever, two Lady Choctaws broke five minutes in the mile in the same race. Hernandez placed third in 4:58.72, while Wallace was fourth in 4:59.88. The pair then doubled back to record top 10 finishes in the Women's 800-meter run; Hernandez fifth in 2:17.16, and Wallace ninth in 2:18.54. -Hollis Johnson recorded a top-five finish in the Men's 1 mile, running 4:16.80 to finish fourth overall. Mississippi College freshman Cooper Parmer also snuck into the top 10, running a lifetime best of 4:21.25. Parmer also doubled back to win section two of the Men's 3,000-meter run in 8:47.48. -Shemar Patten, the 60-meter hurdles school record holder, finished fourth overall in his specialty event. Patten put down a mark of 8.12 seconds, just 0.03 seconds off his school record he set one week prior at the Samford Open. -Hilary Udechukwu snagged a top 10 finish in the Women's 400-meter dash, recording an indoor lifetime best of 57.86 seconds to finish tenth overall. -After setting a school record in the Women's 60-meter dash, Kelechi Christian won the fast section of the Women's 200-meter dash in 24.66 seconds, good enough for a third-place overall finish. -The Lady Choctaws placed three athletes inside the top 10 in the Women's 3,000-meter run; Emily Berry, the school record holder, earned a fifth-place finish in 10:18.80. Norma Gutierrez and Ava Dickerson both recorded lifetime bests; Guiterrez seventh in 10:25.19, and Dickerson eighth in 10:25.74.

The Mississippi College indoor track and field program received three Gulf South Conference Athlete of the Week Awards thanks to their outstanding recent performances at the 2023 University of Alabama in Birmingham Vulcan Invite and 2023 Emory University Crossplex Showdown. Women's weight throw and shot put school record holder Essence Tornabene garnered the GSC Women's Field Athlete of the Week. Tornabene won the women's weight throw at the UAB Vulcan Invite in a school record and provisional mark of 17.83 meters. She beat out multiple GSC athletes, and currently leads the GSC from her performance. Lastly, she is ranked No. 17 in NCAA Division II in the women's weight throw. Essence also threw 11.40 meters in the women's shot put to finish ninth overall and third in GSC competition. Up next, women's 3,000-meter school record holder Emily Berry earned the GSC Women's Runner of the Week. Berry won the women's 3,000 meter run at the UAB Vulcan Invite in a school record time of 10:09.84, and was the top GSC athlete in the event. One day later, the distance star won the women's 5,000 meter run at the Emory Crossplex Showdown in a time of 18:16.69, again the top GSC athlete. She currently leads the GSC in both the women's 3,000-meter run and 5,000-meter run because of her weekend performance. Lastly, men's mile school record holder Hunter Kurz received the GSC Men's Runner of the Week. At the UAB Vulcan Invite, Kurz won the men's 3000-meter run in a provisional mark of 8:12.01. He finished as the top GSC competitor and currently leads the GSC in the event. One day later, the Philpot, Ky., native won the men's mile at the Emory Crossplex Showdown in a provisional mark of 4:07.93. He was again the top GSC competitor and also leads the GSC in that event. Lastly, Kurz tripled back to win the men's 800-meter run in a time of 1:54.34, finishing as the top GSC competitor. With that performance, Kurz is currently No. 3 in the Men's 800m in the conference

Mississippi College opened up the 2023 softball season in the win column with two huge victories to begin the weekend. MC went toe to toe with Harding in game one, winning by a final score of 4-3 in 11 innings. In game two, the Lady Choctaws dominated #6 ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville by a final of 10-0. Mississippi College totaled four hits in game one, with Alexis Lauglin, Brooke Fagan, McCall Lee and Jordan LaFosse each tallying a hit. Lee had a team best two runs batted in with Fagan and Lafosse adding one RBI a piece. Camryn Bailey picked up the win, going 5.0 innings pitched, striking out two opposing hitters, as she improved to 1-0 after the win. In game two, MC scored three runs in the third, four in the fourth and three more runs in the seventh, on their way to defeating #6 Texas A&M-Kingsville 10-0. The Lady Choctaws had 12 hits and held Kingsville with just two hits on the night. MC had four batters with double-digit hits with Laughlin, Jordan Moore, Lafosse, and Rigney each tallying two hits. Laughlin and Moore paced the Lady Choctaws with two and three runs batted in a piece on the night.

Mississippi College picked up their second win in a row on Thursday night defeating Christian Brothers by a final score of 65-53 in Gulf South Conference play. The first half of action remained in a tight locked matchup with 16 total lead changes in the first 20 minutes. The Choctaws largest lead in the first half over the Bucs was a three-point advantage, with CBU claiming a two point lead over MC. Both teams maintained a one possession advantage over the other throughout the half, as CBU took a one-point lead, 27-26, into the half. In the second half, MC took the largest lead of the night for any team on a Galen Smith layup, giving the Choctaws a 38-33 lead with 15:05 on the clock. Smith once again gave MC more momentum with 9:41 left in the contest on a layup that gave the Blue and Gold the first double-digit lead of the night, 52-42. MC reached its largest lead on the night with under two minutes to go, taking a 65-51 advantage. The Choctaws went on to win by a final score of 65-53, claiming their second win in a row. The Choctaws were led by two double-digit scorers, with Galen Smith leading the way with 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Smith also had a team best seven rebounds and two solo blocked shots. Bee McCrary had 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting with four rebounds and two assists. Justin Reid and Tradavis Thompson each had nine points scoring in the win with Reid tallying three rebounds .Mississippi College was 27-of-53 on the night from the floor with 32 points in the paint and 22 points off of the bench. Both teams exchanged leads 19 total times in the game with MC maintaining the lead for 27:31.