Baldwin, Odetunde Named SEC Athletes Of The Week

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. The Ole Miss track and field team was well represented amongst the top Southeastern Conference competitors last week as both LaJada Baldwin and Wale Odetunde were named SEC Athletes of the Week the league office announced Tuesday. 

Baldwin was named the SEC Female Runner of the Week after strong showings in three different events Saturday afternoon at the Mississippi Open.  Individually, Baldwin placed first in the 400 meters with an NCAA regional time of 53.81.  Baldwin currently ranks sixth in the nation in the event following a top time of 52.27 she posted earlier in the year at the Florida Relays.

She went on to run the final leg of the 4x400 meter relay and helped the Rebels to a first place finish with an NCAA regional time of 3:40.05.  Baldwin also ran the second leg of the 4x100 meter relay and helped Ole Miss take second place with an NCAA regional time of 45.43. 

Odetunde won a pair of individual jump titles Saturday and was selected as the SEC Male Field Athlete of the Week.  The Olive Branch, Miss., native won the long jump with an NCAA mark of 2-01.50. 

He capped the afternoon by winning the triple jump with an NCAA regional distance of 49-04.25. 

Both Baldwin and Odetunde are first-time recipients of their respective awards and are the first Rebels to be recognized by the SEC since former All-American Brittney Reese was named SEC Female Field Athlete of the Week three different teams last season. 

Baldwin, Odetunde and the rest of the track and field team returns to action May 14-17 when the Rebels travel to Gainesville, Fla., to take part in the SEC Outdoor Championships. 

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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