Tyler Nichols and Emme Bates each secured individual titles Friday to lead the Southern Miss track and field team during the opening day of the Georgia Tech Invitational.
Nichols highlighted the afternoon for the Golden Eagles in the field events, claiming first place in the long jump with a mark of 8.10 meters. The performance led a dominant showing for Southern Miss in the event, as teammate DeAundre Ward followed closely in second place with a leap of 7.94 meters.
On the track, Bates paced the women’s squad with a victory in the 1500-meter run. She crossed the finish line in 4:18.30 to secure the top spot on the podium.
The Golden Eagles also saw strong performances in the hurdles and distance events. Markeith Thompson earned a runner-up finish in the 110-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 14.17 seconds. In the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase, Cadence Lapp placed fourth with a time of 10:45.46.
In the throwing events, Michael Kasmervisz added a top-eight finish for the men’s team, placing sixth in the shot put with a mark of 16.44 meters.
Southern Miss is scheduled to return to the George C. Griffin Track & Field Facility on Saturday morning to conclude the final day of the meet.
Top Finishes
Women
1500m: 1st — Emme Bates, 4:18.30
3000m SC: 4th — Cadence Lapp, 10:45.46
Men
Long Jump: 1st — Tyler Nichols, 8.10m; 2nd — DeAundre Ward, 7.94m
110m Hurdles: 2nd — Markeith Thompson, 14.17
Shot Put: 6th — Michael Kasmervisz, 16.44m
