SW Georgia News

Savannah State University men's and women's track and field coach Ted Whitaker has increased numbers on his rosters and is seeing better numbers on his track.

So do the math. Whitaker says the numbers equate to competitive seasons indoors and outdoors this season.

"These are the deepest men's and women's teams with talent I've had," said Whitaker, now in his 25th year at SSU. "I'm expecting to do well, men and women. We have the talent. Maybe we better use the word potential."

Last season, saddled with injuries and illnesses, Whitaker and the Tigers sometimes struggled to field teams and looked to other sports to fill rosters.

This season, 19 women and 19 men are racing for spots in the program, providing Whitaker with options. Ten are needed to meet the minimum required to certify a team for indoor competition and 14 for outdoors.

SSU's indoor season begins Jan. 21 and 22 with the Samford Invitational and the KMS Invitational in Birmingham.

"I let (my athletes) know, we're going to take 10," Whitaker said. "If you want to make the trip you have to be as good as No. 10. I use that as a motivator."

Qualifying for Division II national competition will be the motivator because SSU is not affiliated with a conference during the indoor season. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) sponsors cross country and outdoor track, but not indoor track.

No Tiger advanced to indoor nationals last season, but sophomore Winfred Porter came close. The All-SIAC first-team sprinter (in the outdoor season), posted a time of 6.77 in the 60-meter at the Samford Bulldog Invitational, the 18th best for the season, but failed to qualify.

Whitaker said the Porter-led men's team is loaded with potential. Junior Solomon Mitchell, a candidate for the decathlon, might be the team's most versatile athlete with skills as a jumper, sprinter and distance runner. Mitchell's long jump of 6.99 meters won the Savannah State Eyeopener two years ago.

Sophomores Nzyaveon Thompson and Daeshaun Logan both placed second at the conference championships (outdoors) last season. Thompson posted a time of 15.19 in the 110 hurdles. Logan had a high jump of 1.95 meters.

Senior Erik Roberts was the team's leading runner during the cross country season and should pace the distance events.

Several freshmen are expected to contribute. Cameron Edwards, a two-time Class 6A state champion in the triple jump, also competes in the long jump and high jump.

Yas Johnson (sprinter), Corey Myles (distance), Alex Loyd (200, 400), Aidan Holliman (jumps), Evan Guyton (throws), Tyler Russell (sprints, jumps) and Dwayne Chenault (jumps) will also compete to travel.

The women's team will be led by the SIAC's two-time cross country champion Kayla Chance, a senior who also excels in the school's ROTC program and maintains a 3.8 grade-point average.

Chance was also the SIAC Outdoor champion in the 1500 (5:01.28), 5000 (19:14.20) and was third in the 800 (2:24.20) last spring.

Another senior, Sadrea Mabry, returns after earning All-SIAC first-team honors last spring. Mabry, a jumper and sprinter, won the Alice Coachman Invitational's triple jump with a leap of 12.24 meters last season.

Senior Simone Johnson, a middle distance runner, had the top time in the 800-meter prelims (2:23.02) at the conference championships before finishing fourth in the final. She finished 11th in the SIAC Cross Country Championship last fall. Senior Sky Buie-Cox was 10th.

Ravyn Cystrunk, a junior, is expected to be a contributor in the sprints. Da'aliyah Johnson, who was injured last season, will compete in the jumps.

Newcomers to the program will be key. Whitaker is high on Jeainna Bryant (hurdles), A'mijya Dudley (jumps), Kennedi Hall (400), Lilly Langsten (400, 200), Kennedy Spears (jumps), Taylor Cooper (jumps, hurdles) and Delilah Pelham (jumps, sprints).

Ky'leigha Robinson, a transfer from Allen University, adds depth in the jumps and sprints.

Whitaker said assistant Bernard Gaither will strengthen the program. Gaither joined the Tigers in the summer. He starred in track at Maryland Eastern Shore and Towson State.

SSU's outdoor season opens Feb. 25 with the Savannah State Eyeopener.

Whitaker is optimistic that his men and women will do well in the conference. 

"We have the talent. I'd be disappointed if we didn't compete (for a high finish in the SIAC). I'm thinking we'll compete with the top three," he said. 

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