BULLDOG BITS
Track and Field
MIAMI – Mississippi State's track and field program enjoyed a strong start to the 2023 outdoor campaign as the Bulldogs opened up competition at the Hurricane Invitational on Friday in Miami.
State's first school record of the outdoor season fell courtesy of Jhordyn Stallworth, who broke her own previous school record in the women's discus on Friday afternoon. Stallworth's mark of 53.59 meters (175-10) set a new school standard as she finished third overall in the event.
Miranda Tillery also started off the outdoor season with a new personal-best in the women's high jump with a mark of 1.71 meters (5-7.25) to finish fourth for the Bulldogs. In the men's high jump, Peyton Bair posted a mark of 1.94 meters (6-4.25) to finish fourth, while Lewis Barber placed seventh with a jump of 1.81 meters (5-11.25).
On the men's side, Daniel Pepper finished third in the hammer throw competition with a mark of 58.84 meters (193-0) on Friday afternoon. Pepper was also the Bulldogs' top finisher in the discus, finishing seventh with a throw of 49.84 meters (163-6).
Maddy Kish opened the outdoor season with a mark of 3.80 meters (12-5.50) to place seventh in the women's pole vault, while Helen Claire Edmonds finished 11th with a mark of 3.55 meters (11-7.75).
MSU returns to action today for day two of the Hurricane Invitational. The bulk of the events will be held today, beginning with the javelin competition starting at 10 a.m., while the running events will start at noon.
Women’s Tennis
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mississippi State women's tennis fell on the road at Missouri 4-2 on Friday afternoon.
Gia Cohen and Dharani Niroshan each claimed singles victories for the Bulldogs, who fell to 10-6 overall and 0-5 in Southeastern conference play.
Cohen took down Tiger Emelie Schwarte 6-2, 6-2. With the win, Cohen moves to 14-7 overall and 9-4 during dualmatch play.
Niroshan was also a straight-set winner, downing Andrea Artimedi 6-3, 6-0. Niroshan is now 10-7 overall and 7-2 in dual play.
MSU'S Maria Rizzolo, ranked 88th nationally, lost to Inah Canete 6-2, 6-2. Alexandra Mikhailuk fell to Gabriela Martinez 6-3, 7-6(4) and Emmanouela Antonaki dropped to Missouri's Mae Canete 6-2, 6-4.
Maddie Bemisderfer dropped the first set to Romary Cardenas 6-2 but bounced back to take the second 6-2. Bemisderfer was down 5-4 in the third, but Missouri clinched the match before a winner could be declared.
Missouri also took the doubles point earlier in the day as Canete and Canete topped Niroshan and Antonaki 6-2 and Artimedi and Schwarte defeated Cohen and Bemisderfer 6-2.
The Tigers move to 10-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play. The Bulldogs are back on the road as they head to Fayetteville, Ark. to take on Arkansas Sunday at noon.