Rebel sprinter ready for 2012 Olympics
Four years ago, when the Olympics were being held in Beijing, current Ole Miss sprinter Isiah Young was working at a fast food restaurant in Kansas and was basically out of track altogether. While at one time Young may have dreamed about the Olympics, his path to compete in the games was unclear.
In the summer of 2008, Young wasn’t running at Allen County Community College, located near his hometown of Junction City, Kan. Now, just four years after completing high school and joining the work force to make ends meet, Young is headed to London to represent the United States in the 2012 Olympics. (July 12, 2012, Page 6)
Reese, Young garner spots on U.S. Olympic team
EUGENE, Ore. — Young athletes around the world dream of one day competing for their country at the Olympic Games.
For Ole Miss junior sprinter Isiah Young, that dream became a reality on Sunday. And for former Ole Miss long jump star Brittney Reese, her dream was realized for the second time already in her young career. (July 2, 2012, Page 6)
O’Neal returns to win championships
Ole Miss’ replacement for long-time track and field head coach Joe Walker is someone who is very familiar with Walker’s teaching methods, compassion for student-athletes and love for the school. Brian O’Neal was officially introduced Tuesday afternoon as Walker’s replacement in a ceremony held just a few feet away from his mentor’s former office at the track facility.
O’Neal, a native of Pontotoc who was a four-year letterman at Ole Miss from 1989-1993, comes back to Oxford after spending the last four years of his coaching career at Florida and just days after helping leading the Gators to the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Drake University. Leaving Ole Miss after 14 years may have been tough to do initially, but the journey to Gainesville, Fla., and back has made O’Neal a better coach in his estimation. (June 13, 2012, Page 6)
Walker ready to cross finish line
For a man that loves history and majored in the subject in college, Ole Miss head track coach Joe Walker said he doesn’t like to look back to the past. He is an in-the-now type person, somebody who is more focused on getting an athlete better for the future rather than what they may or may not have accomplished weeks prior. (May 18, 2012, Page 6A)
Kendricks reflects on Walker’s career
Oxford’s success in boys track and field and cross country the past decade can be traced back to Ole Miss coach Joe Walker and the impact he made on Scott Kendricks when he was a Rebel and a member of Walker’s first track team.
When Walker told his squad Tuesday evening he would be leaving Ole Miss at the end of the 2012 season to join his son, Joe Walker III, at Louisville, Kendricks understood just how special that opportunity will be for both father and son. (March 1, 2012, Page 6)
Bush returning to help coach OHS Chargers
A familiar face will be back on the Oxford High track this upcoming spring to help keep the Chargers in contention for state championships.
Chris Bush, who helped lead the OHS boys track team to state title in 2007, returns as an assistant coach to Scott Kendricks after four years at Ole Miss. Bush will help with the relays and sprinters during his time at OHS, Kendricks said, and then build on his coaching resume from there. (June 30, 2011, Page 6)
OHS’s Kendricks named Athlete of the Year
A celebrated high school career, both on the track and in the classroom, culminated with another award for Oxford High pole vaulter Sam Kendricks late last week. The Ole Miss signee, who set a new pole vault record at this year’s MHSAA state meet, was honored Friday when he was named the Gatorade Mississippi Boys Athlete of the Year in track for the 2010-11 school year.
It was the first time a Charger won the award given annually to the student-athlete who not only excels in their respective sport but also in the classroom. (June 28, 2011, Page 6)
Reese soars to USA long jump title
EUGENE, Ore. — Former Ole Miss All-American and NCAA Champion Brittney Reese continued her dominance at the highest levels of the track and field world when she won the long jump title on the final day of the 2011 USA Outdoor Championships Sunday.
The Gulfport native won her fourth straight U.S. long jump championship with a career-best leap of 7.19 meters (23 feet-7.25 inches) on her final attempt. Her jump is the longest in the world this year by a wide margin and beat the next closest competitor on Sunday by nearly a foot. Reese is the two-defending world champion in the event. (June 27, 2011, Page 6)
Ole Miss track captures 13 titles Saturday
Sophomore Neal Tisher broke her own school record in the pole vault at the Ole Miss Invitational to help lead the team to 13 titles on Saturday at the Ole Miss Track and Field Complex. Tisher broke her mark with a leap of 13 feet-09.25 inches. Sh set her previous record of 13-04.25 last weekend at the Pepsi Relays in Gainesville, Fla. (April 11, 2011, Page 2B)
Good field of athletes on tap at Ole Miss invitational
Some of the best college and pro track athletes will be on display as they compete in the annual Ole Miss Invitational on Saturday. The meet begins at the Ole Miss Track and Field Complex at 10 a.m. with two field events, the hammer throw and javelin, while the first running event begins at 11 a.m. (more…) (April 8, 2011)
