Men's Track & Field | 3/9/2026 9:42:00 AM
The LeMoyne-Owen men's and women's track and field teams officially opened their outdoor season this past weekend with a competitive showing at the Mississippi College Spring Classic in Clinton, Mississippi. Facing a deep and talented field, the Magicians demonstrated resilience and potential as both squads turned in encouraging performances to begin the year.
The men's team placed 15th out of 19 teams, while the women's team delivered a strong effort with a 9th place finish out of 13 teams. While the overall standings may not fully reflect the strides being made, the numbers within the meet tell a more promising story. The Magicians combined for nine top eight finishes, five top five performances, and two top three placements, signaling a team that is steadily building toward greater success as the season progresses.
Leading the way for the women's team was senior thrower Jada Joshua, who delivered one of the most impressive performances of the meet. Joshua earned a second place finish in the shot put while recording a lifetime personal best throw of 11.44 meters. Her mark not only secured a podium finish but also highlighted her growth and preparation heading into her final outdoor campaign. Joshua's performance set a strong tone for the women's throws group.
Teammate Cierra Crusoe also contributed in the shot put, finishing fifth with a solid mark of 10.72 meters. Her effort added valuable points and reinforced the depth within the Magicians' throwing unit. In the discus, senior Jacky Beltran continued that momentum with a fifth place finish of her own, recording a top throw of 38.16 meters. Together, the trio showcased consistency and competitiveness in the field events.
On the men's side, sophomore Kelvin Rozier delivered a standout performance in the triple jump, securing a third place finish with a leap of 14.13 meters. His effort marked one of the top performances of the day for the Magicians and demonstrated his ability to compete among the best in the field. Fellow sophomore Jacob Coleman also made his presence felt in the long jump, finishing seventh with a mark of 6.38 meters, while also playing a key role across multiple relay events.
The relay teams provided additional highlights throughout the meet. The men's 4x100 meter relay team of Coleman, Julian Tallant, Michael Robinson, and Josiah Monguer placed eighth with a time of 45.93 seconds. On the women's side, Abbie Chatman, Tajana Sims, Mya McKenzie, and Jaylah Jordan finished seventh in the 4x100 meter relay with a time of 52.99 seconds, showing strong chemistry early in the season.
In the longer relay, the men's 4x400 meter team delivered one of the stronger finishes on the track, placing fifth with a time of 3:35.27. The quartet of Coleman, Tallant, Rozier, and Robinson demonstrated both endurance and teamwork as they closed out the meet on a high note. The women's 4x400 meter relay team of McKenzie, Jordan, Sims, and Jojo O'Neal also competed well, finishing sixth with a time of 4:51.74.
As a whole, the meet served as an important benchmark for the Magicians. With a blend of experienced upperclassmen and developing underclassmen, the team showed flashes of its potential across multiple events. Early season performances often focus on building rhythm and identifying areas for growth, and LeMoyne-Owen appears to be on the right track.
With two weeks to prepare before their next competition, the Magicians will look to build on this momentum as they return home to Memphis for the Rhodes Invitational on March 20 and 21. If this opening performance is any indication, the foundation has been set for a season filled with progress, determination, and the promise of even greater achievements ahead.
