CLINTON, Miss. – The University of West Alabama track and field team closed out its regular season on a high note Friday at the Mike McMillan Twilight Invitational, hosted by Mississippi College.
The Tigers posted several top finishes, personal bests, and school records in a competitive regional field.
Gary Mata led the way in the men's 1500 meters, placing second and breaking his own UWA school record with a time of 3:55.72.
Jentzen Moore also stood out in the event, running a personal best of 3:59.80 to finish sixth overall.
In the women's 400 meters,
Augusta Arnold recorded a new school record with a time of 56.19, earning a second-place finish.
Jamaya Dancy placed eighth in 59.29, and
Dennis Toles rounded out UWA's competitors in the 400 with a time of 50.30 to place tenth on the men's side.
Sprinter
Balikis Yakubu continued her strong form by taking first place in both the women's 100 meters (11.74) and 200 meters (23.67).
Mikia Hutchings finished close behind in both events, placing second in the 100 meters with a personal best of 11.92 and third in the 200 meters with a time of 24.93.
Erica Smith finished tenth in the 100 meters with a time of 12.77, while
Jamaya Dancy added a fifth-place finish in the 200 meters, clocking 25.95.
In the women's 800 meters,
Jordan Conner secured second place with a time of 2:25.10. On the men's side,
Sha'Kenye Darden ran 1:55.19 to place sixth, followed by
Brian Easter in eighth (1:56.25) and
Avante Mackey in ninth (1:58.15).
The Tigers will now shift their focus to the Gulf South Conference Championships, which will be held next weekend (May 1-3, 2025) in Cleveland, Tennessee. The Mike McMillan Twilight Invitational marked UWA's final regular season meet and provided a valuable opportunity to prepare against regional competition ahead of postseason action.
