CLINTON, Miss. – The United States Sports University track and field team opened the 2026 season Saturday at the Mississippi College Spring Classic, earning two event victories and multiple podium finishes to highlight the day.
 
Junior Christian Aikens highlighted the day on the track, winning the 400m in 47.91 while setting a new USSU program record in the event. Aikens also broke the school record in the 200m, finishing third in 21.50.
 
In the field events, Roderickas Burnett delivered the Eagles' second victory of the meet, winning the triple jump with a mark of 14.67m (48-1.75). The jump broke Burnett's own program record in the event. He also secured another podium finish with a third-place mark in the long jump at 6.77m (22-2.5).
 
USSU posted several additional strong finishes on the track in the 400m. Cole Hayward placed seventh in 50.14, setting a personal record, followed by Tyler Johnson in ninth (50.33), who also set a personal best. Hayward later finished ninth in the 200m with a personal-best time of 22.03.
 
The Eagles also collected solid results in the throwing events. Jacob Hagan placed seventh in the hammer throw with a mark of 25.51m (83-8), while Hunter Hall finished 12th in the discus with a mark of 36.86m. Jasper Nero added a 10th-place performance in the shot put with a personal-best throw of 12.62m (41-5).
 
On the women's side, Michaelle Sewika led the Eagles in the jumps, placing fifth in the triple jump at 10.58m (34-8.5) and sixth in the long jump with a mark of 5.27m (17-3.5).
 
Angelina Bercant recorded a time of 13.02 in the 100m, while Maryam Williams ran 1:02.91 in the 400m. Shaterica Griffin added a mark of 22.24m (72-11) in the discus.
 
Up Next
The Eagles will compete at the South Alabama Invitational on Friday.
 
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