The University of Mississippi Athletics
Track & Field’s Throwers, Newcomers Shine on First Day of Commodore Challenge
1/13/2023 | Track and Field
Jalani Davis Sets NCAA Lead, Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan Impresses in Rebel Debut
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It was a powerful opening day for Ole Miss track & field, as the Rebels excelled in the weight throw while smashing two school records on an excellent first day of action at the Commodore Challenge on Friday night.
Ole Miss reasserted its dominance as the NCAA's preeminent program in the women's weight throw following an early-season display of might on Friday. Already the only program in NCAA history to have four 75-foot women's weight throwers, All-American Jalani Davis took that another step further tonight when she unleashed a four-foot career best toss of 24.13m/79-2 – giving Ole Miss four Rebels within the all-time collegiate top-10 in the event, and all beyond 79 feet.
That toss by Davis – overall the 23rd-best throw in collegiate history – moved her ahead of Rebel great Janeah Stewart for eighth on the all-time top-10 list, as well as No. 3 in the Ole Miss history books. Davis and the professional Stewart actually went toe-to-toe on Friday night, with Stewart winning at a new world lead of 24.48m/80-03.75. Davis was relegated to top collegiate finisher at her best of the night, which now ranks second worldwide and atop the NCAA leaderboards for 2023.
Reigning NCAA runner-up Jasmine Mitchell had a strong open of her own, finishing third at 23.81m/78-01.50 to rank No. 3 worldwide and No. 2 in the NCAA.
As of Friday night, Ole Miss now occupies spot No. 2 (Shey Taiwo, 25.55m/83-10; 2022), No. 3 (Mitchell, 24.94m/81-10; 2022), No. 8 (Davis, 24.13m/79-2; 2023) and No. 9 (Stewart, 24.12m/79-01.75; 2018) on the all-time collegiate top-10 in the women's weight throw.
On the men's side, star Rebel freshman Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan wasted no time in putting his mark on the Ole Miss record books, shattering the weight throw record on his final attempt of the competition to win by more than seven feet at 22.24m/72-11.75. That throw breaks All-American Dempsey McGuigan's record of 21.11m/69-03.25 that had stood since 2018.
It also puts Robinson-O'Hagan at No. 3 in the NCAA at this early point of the 2023 indoor season, and makes him just the fourth collegiate freshman to break 22 meters since 2014 – the third in Division I. In that same time span, Robinson-O'Hagan is the lone collegiate freshman to break the 22-meter barrier in their first career meet.
A native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Robinson-O'Hagan signed with Ole Miss after a historic high school career that was capped off by two U.S. U20 titles outdoors last year in the shot put and hammer, which led to a World U20 shot put title and an appearance in the World U20 hammer final last summer.
Other Rebel men impressing in the hammer were Mason Hickel (third, 19.04m/62-05.75) and Costen Campion (fourth, 18.80m/61-08.25), who each recorded six-foot personal bests to move into 10th and 11th all-time in Ole Miss history, respectively.
On the track, senior transfer McKenzie Long made an impression in her Rebel debut as well, breaking the long-standing Ole Miss women's record in the 300-meter dash. Long won at 37.38, which breaks Sonya Varnell's 1987 record of 37.58, which was a conversion of her 37.8 in the 300-yard dash. Freshman Gabrielle Matthews of Jamaica had a strong Ole Miss debut as well, finishing fifth overall at 38.83.
Speaking of debuts, Ole Miss received two additional excellent openers in the field. Freshman Arvesta Troupe won the men's high jump at 2.08m/6-09.75, which already launches him up to No. 11 in school history. In the men's pole vault, transfer Noah Mumme came away as the runner-up in an excellent competition at 5.10m/16-08.75, which pushes him to No. 7 in school history and into a tie for 16th in the NCAA this season.
Competition will resume for Ole Miss on Saturday morning, with the men's shot put slated to begin at 11 a.m. CT.
REBELS IN DAY ONE COMPETITION
Women's 200-Meter Dash
8. Graycyn Yelverton – 25.45
Women's 300-Meter Dash
1. McKenzie Long – 37.38 – School Record
5. Gabrielle Matthews – 38.83
Men's 300-Meter Dash
14. Keith Robinson – 36.12
19. Ryan Star – 37.00
Men's 600-Meter
6. Jacob Lough – 1:21.32
Women's High Jump (Seeded)
11. Meg Goebel – 1.60m/5-03.00
12. Kayla Jemison – 1.55m/5-01.00
Women's High Jump (Unseeded)
2. LaRiah Shannon – 1.62m/5-03.75 – PR
9. Annie Strong – 1.50m/4-11.00 – PR
Men's Pole Vault
2. Noah Mumme – 5.10m/16-08.75 – T-No.16 NCAA, No. 7 Ole Miss History
4. Frankie Amore – 4.95m/16-02.75 – Ties PR, No. 10 Ole Miss History
6. Logan Kelley – 4.80m/15-09.00 – T-No. 12 Ole Miss History
7. Ford Maberry – 4.80m/15-09.00 – PR, T-No. 12 Ole Miss History
12. Miles Walden – 4.50m/14-09.00
Women's Long Jump
11. Skye Gross – 5.45m/17-10.75
18. Sara Van Aken – 5.23m/17-02.00
22. Meg Goebel – 5.12m/16-09.75 – Ties PR
31. Laurel Fulcher – 4.87m/15-11.75
Men's Long Jump
6. Iangelo Atkinstall-Daley – 6.85m/22-09.75
7. Gavin Nembhard – 6.76m/22-02.25 – Indoor PR
10. Carson Walls – 6.63m/21-9
18. Pierce Genereux – 6.09m/19-11.75
20. Peyton Lowery – 5.92m/19-05.25
Men's High Jump
1. Arvesta Troupe – 2.08m/6-09.75 – First collegiate meet, 11th Ole Miss History, T-No. 18 NCAA
Women's Weight Throw
2. Jalani Davis – 24.13m/79-02.00 – 4-foot PR, No. 8 NCAA History (No. 23 throw), No. 3 Ole Miss History, 2023 No. 2 World, No. 2 U.S., No. 1 NCAA
3. Jasmine Mitchell – 23.81m/78-01.50 – 2023 No. 3 World, No. 3 U.S., No. 2 NCAA
6. Tedreauna Britt – 19.97m/65-06.25
15. Brooke Franke – 15.96m/52-04.50
Men's Weight Throw
1. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan – 22.24m/72-11.75 – First collegiate meet, School Record, 2023 No. 5 World, No. 3 NCAA
3. Mason Hickel – 19.04m/62-05.75 – 6-foot PR, No. 10 Ole Miss History
4. Costen Campion – 18.80m/61-08.25 – 6-foot PR, No. 11 Ole Miss History
8. Joseph Lanham – 17.45m/57-03.00
For more information on Ole Miss Track & Field and Cross Country, follow the Rebels on Twitter (@OleMissTrack), Facebook and Instagram.
Ole Miss reasserted its dominance as the NCAA's preeminent program in the women's weight throw following an early-season display of might on Friday. Already the only program in NCAA history to have four 75-foot women's weight throwers, All-American Jalani Davis took that another step further tonight when she unleashed a four-foot career best toss of 24.13m/79-2 – giving Ole Miss four Rebels within the all-time collegiate top-10 in the event, and all beyond 79 feet.
That toss by Davis – overall the 23rd-best throw in collegiate history – moved her ahead of Rebel great Janeah Stewart for eighth on the all-time top-10 list, as well as No. 3 in the Ole Miss history books. Davis and the professional Stewart actually went toe-to-toe on Friday night, with Stewart winning at a new world lead of 24.48m/80-03.75. Davis was relegated to top collegiate finisher at her best of the night, which now ranks second worldwide and atop the NCAA leaderboards for 2023.
Reigning NCAA runner-up Jasmine Mitchell had a strong open of her own, finishing third at 23.81m/78-01.50 to rank No. 3 worldwide and No. 2 in the NCAA.
As of Friday night, Ole Miss now occupies spot No. 2 (Shey Taiwo, 25.55m/83-10; 2022), No. 3 (Mitchell, 24.94m/81-10; 2022), No. 8 (Davis, 24.13m/79-2; 2023) and No. 9 (Stewart, 24.12m/79-01.75; 2018) on the all-time collegiate top-10 in the women's weight throw.
On the men's side, star Rebel freshman Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan wasted no time in putting his mark on the Ole Miss record books, shattering the weight throw record on his final attempt of the competition to win by more than seven feet at 22.24m/72-11.75. That throw breaks All-American Dempsey McGuigan's record of 21.11m/69-03.25 that had stood since 2018.
It also puts Robinson-O'Hagan at No. 3 in the NCAA at this early point of the 2023 indoor season, and makes him just the fourth collegiate freshman to break 22 meters since 2014 – the third in Division I. In that same time span, Robinson-O'Hagan is the lone collegiate freshman to break the 22-meter barrier in their first career meet.
A native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Robinson-O'Hagan signed with Ole Miss after a historic high school career that was capped off by two U.S. U20 titles outdoors last year in the shot put and hammer, which led to a World U20 shot put title and an appearance in the World U20 hammer final last summer.
Other Rebel men impressing in the hammer were Mason Hickel (third, 19.04m/62-05.75) and Costen Campion (fourth, 18.80m/61-08.25), who each recorded six-foot personal bests to move into 10th and 11th all-time in Ole Miss history, respectively.
On the track, senior transfer McKenzie Long made an impression in her Rebel debut as well, breaking the long-standing Ole Miss women's record in the 300-meter dash. Long won at 37.38, which breaks Sonya Varnell's 1987 record of 37.58, which was a conversion of her 37.8 in the 300-yard dash. Freshman Gabrielle Matthews of Jamaica had a strong Ole Miss debut as well, finishing fifth overall at 38.83.
Speaking of debuts, Ole Miss received two additional excellent openers in the field. Freshman Arvesta Troupe won the men's high jump at 2.08m/6-09.75, which already launches him up to No. 11 in school history. In the men's pole vault, transfer Noah Mumme came away as the runner-up in an excellent competition at 5.10m/16-08.75, which pushes him to No. 7 in school history and into a tie for 16th in the NCAA this season.
Competition will resume for Ole Miss on Saturday morning, with the men's shot put slated to begin at 11 a.m. CT.
REBELS IN DAY ONE COMPETITION
Women's 200-Meter Dash
8. Graycyn Yelverton – 25.45
Women's 300-Meter Dash
1. McKenzie Long – 37.38 – School Record
5. Gabrielle Matthews – 38.83
Men's 300-Meter Dash
14. Keith Robinson – 36.12
19. Ryan Star – 37.00
Men's 600-Meter
6. Jacob Lough – 1:21.32
Women's High Jump (Seeded)
11. Meg Goebel – 1.60m/5-03.00
12. Kayla Jemison – 1.55m/5-01.00
Women's High Jump (Unseeded)
2. LaRiah Shannon – 1.62m/5-03.75 – PR
9. Annie Strong – 1.50m/4-11.00 – PR
Men's Pole Vault
2. Noah Mumme – 5.10m/16-08.75 – T-No.16 NCAA, No. 7 Ole Miss History
4. Frankie Amore – 4.95m/16-02.75 – Ties PR, No. 10 Ole Miss History
6. Logan Kelley – 4.80m/15-09.00 – T-No. 12 Ole Miss History
7. Ford Maberry – 4.80m/15-09.00 – PR, T-No. 12 Ole Miss History
12. Miles Walden – 4.50m/14-09.00
Women's Long Jump
11. Skye Gross – 5.45m/17-10.75
18. Sara Van Aken – 5.23m/17-02.00
22. Meg Goebel – 5.12m/16-09.75 – Ties PR
31. Laurel Fulcher – 4.87m/15-11.75
Men's Long Jump
6. Iangelo Atkinstall-Daley – 6.85m/22-09.75
7. Gavin Nembhard – 6.76m/22-02.25 – Indoor PR
10. Carson Walls – 6.63m/21-9
18. Pierce Genereux – 6.09m/19-11.75
20. Peyton Lowery – 5.92m/19-05.25
Men's High Jump
1. Arvesta Troupe – 2.08m/6-09.75 – First collegiate meet, 11th Ole Miss History, T-No. 18 NCAA
Women's Weight Throw
2. Jalani Davis – 24.13m/79-02.00 – 4-foot PR, No. 8 NCAA History (No. 23 throw), No. 3 Ole Miss History, 2023 No. 2 World, No. 2 U.S., No. 1 NCAA
3. Jasmine Mitchell – 23.81m/78-01.50 – 2023 No. 3 World, No. 3 U.S., No. 2 NCAA
6. Tedreauna Britt – 19.97m/65-06.25
15. Brooke Franke – 15.96m/52-04.50
Men's Weight Throw
1. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan – 22.24m/72-11.75 – First collegiate meet, School Record, 2023 No. 5 World, No. 3 NCAA
3. Mason Hickel – 19.04m/62-05.75 – 6-foot PR, No. 10 Ole Miss History
4. Costen Campion – 18.80m/61-08.25 – 6-foot PR, No. 11 Ole Miss History
8. Joseph Lanham – 17.45m/57-03.00
For more information on Ole Miss Track & Field and Cross Country, follow the Rebels on Twitter (@OleMissTrack), Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Multi
/ Track and Field
Multi
/ Track and Field
Multi
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Multi
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Multi
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Sprints
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