The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Head To NCAA MidEast Regional
5/24/2007 | Track and Field
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss men’s and women’s track and field teams are traveling to
“It is an exciting time,” said Ole Miss head coach Joe Walker. “We have 21 athletes, 11 men and 10 women, qualified in 27 events. I really feel that we have a great shot of several athletes qualifying for nationals.”
The Rebel men’s group includes Anka Autman, Charles Bailey, Rickie Bratton, Michael Coleman, Justin Gunn, Barnabas Kirui, Rodney Lockhart, James Maloney, Derek McGuire, Wale Odetunde and John Yarbrough.
Kirui, who won three titles at the SEC Outdoor Championships, is ranked No. 1 in the nation in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He is also regionally qualified in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, but will not compete in those races at the MidEast Regional.
Yarbrough, a two-time All-American, is also ranked No. 1 in the nation in the 110-meter hurdles. Yarbrough won the hurdles title at last year’s MidEast Regional en route to a fifth place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Bailey leads a group of three Rebel jumpers at the regional. The reigning SEC long jump champion is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation in the long jump. Bailey had also qualified in the triple jump. Gunn, who finished fourth in the long jump at the SEC championships, will compete in long jump. Odetunde, who finished third in the triple jump at the SEC championships, will compete in both the long jump and triple jump.
Throwers Maloney and McGuire will both compete in the men’s shot put, while Rickie Bratton has qualified for the 200 meters. Bratton will also team up with Autman, Coleman and Lockhart to run the 4x100-meter relay.
Lady Rebels competing include Britney Barnard, Carmia Carroll, Kenyata Coleman, Sirdonea Davis, Kadeshia Fortune, Marlee Kevech, Kim Mulkey, Cachet Murray, Davina Orieukwu and Britney Reese.
Reese headlines the Rebel women’s effort. The SEC indoor and outdoor long jump champion enters the
Coleman, who finished fourth in the 400 meters at the SEC Outdoor Championships, will compete in that event as well as the 200 meters. Coleman will also run in both relays, teaming up with Fortune, Mulkey and
Fortune and
Carroll will compete in the high jump along with Reese, while throwers Marlee Kevech and Davina Orieukwu will compete in the javelin and shot put, respectively.
The event, hosted by the
