Senior pole vaulter Whitney Adams practiced pole vaulting with other members of the track and field team in preparation for the last meet of the season which took place on Saturday, May 6.
Regina Pergola/The Lion’s Roar

The Lions track and field team’s last meet of the regular season was held at the Ole Miss Track and Field Complex. Alex Young, a graduate student broke the previous complex’s hammer record with the second longest throw in university history at 234 feet and 9.5 inches. Young also holds the record for longest throw in university history when he threw 235-5 earlier this season. 

“The last meet was a great tune-up meet to get ready to make last minute changes before the Southland Conference Championships,” said Young. “This meet was a great confidence booster heading into the SLC Championship. The great part about this meet was that several of my teammates left with some new PRs heading into the championship season.”

Devin King, a junior pole vaulter feels that the track and field team works well together.

“One of our strengths is that we come together as a team,” said King. “We all communicate really well and we get along and have fun together. We’re just a powerhouse right now and everyone’s just doing really well.” 

The meet was held on Saturday, May 6. Young touched on some challenges the team faced throughout the season. 

“The team has been battling injuries all season and that is the nature of our sport,” said Young. “The team faces the challenge of overcoming the stress that accumulates during final exam week which also happens to be the week of our conference championship meet. If the team can stay focused in the classroom and on the track, things will be just fine heading into the weekend.”

The meet was titled the Ole Miss Classic. King described how the season has been this year and how he saw what he considered needed improvement throughout the year despite multiple setbacks. 

“This season has been really good for me,” said King. “I’ve been more consistent.”

Young found this season to be difficult due to graduate school enrollment, work and track 

“This semester has been one of the most stressful semesters 

I have ever experienced,” said Young. “The biggest challenge has been maintaining a positive attitude knowing how mentally and physically demanding the other aspects of my life are right now.  It has been a challenge not allowing the outside factors to affect performance.”

Young gave words to what motivated him throughout the season. 

“My motivation this season has been a bit of redemption, fun and knowing this is the last rodeo,” said King.  

King described what he was looking forward to in the upcoming season which included several extending events at which he would have opportunities to travel and pole vault with the track and field team. 

“In two weeks, I have regionals in Kentucky, and if I get through that, I have outdoor nationals in Oregon and eventually California or London this summer for world championships,” said King. “So, that’s the events that we want to go to.”

Young is moving forward from the university and plans to compete at World Championship and Olympic-level hammer throwing. 

“Unfortunately, this is my last season as a Southeastern Lion,” said Young. “I will be unable to wear the green and gold after my season is over. My season to this point has been pretty awesome. I like to think I am not doing enough until I look back at previous years and change perspective only to realize this is my best season to date. ”

King was hindered in his participation of practices and meets by minor physical afflictions. 

“Right now, I have a little growing issue,” said King. “We’re really trying to get healthy, so I can do my best.”

Another player that has been excelling this season is Andre Colebrook, a graduate student middle distance and hurdle runner. Colebrook and King practice together on the track.

“Me and Andre, we always see each other at the track,” said King. “We’re always giving each other high fives and ‘Good jobs’ and such. We work hard.”

Young also described his relationship with Colebrook and King. 

“Yeah, I interact with Andre and Devin a good bit,” said Young. “Those are some of the goofiest guys you’ll ever meet. I tell you one thing, they are great teammates. All three of us came to Southeastern together. Both Andre and I were transfers from previous universities, and Devin was a freshman coming from Kentwood. We have had plenty of time to get to know each other. I know they will achieve big things in their careers as well. I am honored to train with them and call them friends and teammates.”

Alex Young