BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The men's and women's track and field teams at Mississippi Valley State University opened their 2019-20 season at the BSC Panther Indoor Icebreaker on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Birmingham Metro CrossPlex. Tiara DeRosa placed fourth in the women's shot put event to lead the Devilettes.

The women's team featured eight returners and seven newcomers competing in their first collegiate indoor meet. 

Senior Tiara DeRosa set a new indoor personal record in the shot put measuring 45 feet-one inch (13.74m) placing fourth in the competition. Her mark leads the conference rankings.

Seniors Derica Pitters and Fantasia Ard finished amongst the top 20 running in the 800m. Pitters was 13th clocking 2:28.27 while Ard was 20th at 2:48.32.

In the 400m, senior Jala Allen led a trio of Devilettes placing 24th at 1:01.16. Sophomore Rakia Ball (12:51.24) placed 25th in the 3000m while senior Alice Kimutai (13:47.12) followed finishing 26th in the event. 

The men's 4x400m relay team of sophomore Samuel Gardner, sophomore Anthony Mosley, freshman Jacob Bell, and sophomore Dwight Smith were the top finishers for the Delta Devils placing fourth with a time of 3:30.87. The MVSU "B" team of senior Nicholas Alexander, sophomore Chad Chandler, senior Joseph Mitchell, and freshman Bob Francois were 11th overall at 3:35. 02.

Junior Jamarius Shaw led the field events for MVSU. In the long jump event, he was 14th leaping 20-feet-two inches 1/4 (6.15m). Sophomore Kiion Smith was 17th in the shot put tossing 41 feet-seven 1/4 inches (12.68m). Smith is ranked third in the SWAC amongst the men's shot put.

Junior Najair Jackson advanced to the 60m semifinals. Jackson ran 7.00 finishing 15th overall anchoring the Delta Devils on the track. Jacob Bell recorded a solid time in his indoor debut. Bell crossed the finish line with a time of 2:03.93 in the 800m concluding MVSU's top 20 finishes at the BCS Panther Indoor Icebreaker.

WOMEN'S RESULTS

60m prelims
37. Myah Sherman (8.11)
58. Sierra Gray (8.57)
64. Erika Smith (8.70)

200m
52. Makiah Sherman (27.44)
75. Imani Walker (29.73)

400m
24. Jala Allen (1:01.16)
48. Chanelle Houston (1:08.15)
52. Rickeyshia White (1:12.40)

800m
13. Derica Pitters (2:28.27)
20. Fantasia Ard (2:48.32)

3000m
25. Rakia Ball (12:51.24)
26. Alice Kimutai (13:47.12)

60m hurdles
34. Chanelle Houston (10.31)
36. ZaBasjia Price (10.74)

Shot Put
4. Tiara DeRosa (13.74m, 45' 1")
25. Michaela Brown (10.55m, 34' 7.5")


MEN'S RESULTS

60m
15. Najair Jackson (7.00)
31. Dwight Smith (7.25) 
36. Jeremy Murry (7.33)

200m
48. Anthony Mosley (24.96)

400m
26. Samuel Gardner (52.18)
40. Chad Chandler (55.19)

800m
18. Jacob Bell (2:03.93)
24. Bob Francois (2:15.66)
25. Nicholas Alexander (2:20.54)

3000m
24. Stanley Rop (9:24.34)
    Justin Cooper (DNF)

4x400m relay
7. Gardner, Mosley, Bell, Smith (3:30.87)
11. Alexander, Chandler, Mitchell, Francois (3:35.02)

Long Jump
14. Jamarius Shaw (6.15m, 20' 2.25")

Shot Put
17. Kiion Smith (12.68m, 41' 7.25") (3rd)