COLUMBUS — Strong performances over the weekend to begin the indoor season produced a pair of Player of the Week awards for Mississippi University for Women men’s track and field.
This week’s St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (SLIAC) POW awards went to seniors Dedrick Gates and Tanner Collins as each broke or matched school records over the weekend.
“I couldn’t be happier for any two athletes on this team,” head coach Dedrick Burnett said in Monday’s press release. “Both have come a long way since they both were recruited off campus and made the transition into full-time track and field student athletes. … They will leave their mark on this program – and on me – as they prepare for the next chapter of life.”
Gates, honored for his performance in track events, set three school records on the weekend, first matching the long-jump record with a mark of 6.01 meters at Saturday’s UAB Vulcan Invite.
He then broke two of his own records at Sunday’s Emory University Crossplex Showdown, posting a 7.28 in the 60-meter dash and a 23.17 in the 200-meter dash.
Gates now owns or shares five indoor records and four outdoor records in Owls program history.
“Dedrick had to recover from a torn meniscus injury he suffered almost two years ago,” Burnett said. “It’s good to see him at full strength and the progress he has made over the years.”
Collins, who was honored for his performance in field events last weekend, broke his own school record in shot put twice, first an 11.84 meter throw on Saturday and then a 12.05 meter throw on Sunday.
He ended up breaking the 11.84 meter mark twice during his performance on Sunday, finishing eighth overall as he now owns three indoor and outdoor records in MUW history.
“Tanner was a kid I would always jokingly ask to come out and throw for me,” Burnett said. “I knew he was a basketball player at heart and I never wanted to take him from that. When he made the commitment to track and field full-time, he gained so much confidence in himself and a passion for the sport.”
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