BULLDOG BITS

Track and Field

Returning two NCAA javelin champions and the 2018 800-meter runner up paved the way for the Mississippi State men's track and field squad, which received a top-15 billing in the outdoor preseason USTFCCCA TFRI rankings on Monday.

State's men open the season ranked 12th nationally, led by their superb “Javu” corps that includes NCAA champions Anderson Peters and Curtis Thompson, who earned the national crown in the event in 2018 and 2016, respectively. Peters and Thompson rank first and second, respectively, among the NCAA'S top collegiatebest javelin marks with throws of 82.82 meters (2718.75) and 81.03 meters (265-10.25).

The TFRI preseason rankings are designed to highlight a team's returners and transfers that will have an impact on the national scale, using an athlete's collegiate personal best performances as a base.

Reigning NCAA Outdoor 800-meter runner-up Marco Arop returns with the top time in the NCAA (1:45.25) after finishing the indoor season with a silver-medal finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships. In the event, Dejon Devroe opens the season with a personal-best mark of 1:47.97 that ranks 25th in the NCAA among returnees.

Also contributing to MSU'S No. 12 ranking is Lawrence Crawford, who holds the NCAA'S top returning 100-meter time with a wind-aided 9.97. Lester Miller brings a personal-best of 10.16, which is tied for 25th among collegians, while Karson Kowalchuk's best mark of 10.21 ranks 30th.

Milton Harrell added to the Bulldogs' point total by bringing in a collegiate-best 2.20 meters (7-2.5) in the high jump, which is tied for 17th in the NCAA coming in.

In the 400-meter hurdles, the Bulldog trio of Malcum Tatum (50.62), Rasheed Tatham (50.72) and Vince Castillo (50.74) rank in the top 30 with their personal bests.

On the women's side, State holds a No. 34 preseason ranking led by a quartet of Bulldogs in the top 30 of their respective events entering the season.

All-american Logan Boss holds the NCAA'S No. 2 outdoor high jump personal best at 1.89 meters (62.25), while All-american Tiffany Flynn and Alexis Farley rank 10th and 30th among returning triple jumpers. Rounding out the four Bulldogs is Sarah Blake, who factored into MSU'S point total with her collegiate best of 53.12 meters (174-3.5) in the javelin.

MSU will open the 2019 outdoor season Friday and Saturday at home in the Al Schmidt Bulldog Relays. Admission to the meet is free.