Junior Steve Mullings sprinted the Mississippi State men’s outdoor track and field squad to a successful showing at the 2005 Texas Relays last weekend.
Mullings won the 100-meter dash, and the 4×200-meter relay team finished on top, giving the Bulldogs their fifth and sixth trophies at the event in a four-year period.
Mullings’ time of 10.06 seconds broke a 29-year record held by Arkansas State’s Ed Preston, who ran the 100 in 10.07 seconds in 1976.
The time also ties the record at Mike A. Myers stadium, set last year by Mullings’ former teammate Tyson Gay.
Mullings’ time also ties a personal best set at the MSU-hosted Bulldog Invitational.
The mark stands as the third fastest in MSU history and is the fastest regional qualifying time posted in the NCAA this season.
“With no indoor season, Steve has been running the same times he did last year in fewer races,” said MSU associate head coach Steve Dudley. “It’s a good indicator he’ll be faster in the outdoor season as he gets sharper.”
Mullings’ record-setting time may have been even faster, if not for some confusion at the start of the race.
“When Steve went to set, someone shifted out of the block, which usually they’ll fire the gun and disqualify that person,” Dudley said. “So he just sat back in the blocks, thinking they’d restart the race, but they fired the gun and everyone took off. But it just took him 20 meters to catch up to everyone and pass them.”
Mullings, as well as other members of the track team, train six days a week-two tempo days, one max velocity day, one speed endurance day, one acceleration day and a race day-and in the meantime, 200 sit-ups a day and weight training.
“It’s hard work,” Mullings said, with a laugh. “But I know I can go faster. I’m just waiting for the right time.”
For his standout performance, Mullings was named Southeastern Conference Runner of the Week.
“It’s great to get this honor,” Mullings said. “This was my third time to compete at Texas, and I’ve never lost there. I’m running the 400 this weekend at home. I’m trying to get some strength to run the 200. I’m hoping to finish in at least 47 seconds.”
The 4×200-meter relay team, consisting of Mullings, senior all-American Jamel Ashley, sophomore all-American Arthur Davis and senior all-American LaChristopher Lewis won in 1 minute, 21.62 seconds.
In other action, sophomore Travis McKay qualified for the Mideast Regional in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase.
McKay set a personal best of 9:02.92 and finished sixth. He bested his previous high by nearly four seconds (9:06.75 at the 2004 Penn Relays.)
Mullings and the men’s and women’s track teams will compete at home this weekend, as the Bulldogs will host the Jace Lacoste Invitational at W.O. Spencer Stadium/Carl Maddox Track.