College
Track & Field News
For
Immediate Release: - February 15,
2008
Contact:
Christina Hilliard (662.325.5852; 228.424.4024)
LADY BULLDOGS ADD
PAIR OF JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFERS
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State
University Head Track and Field Coach Al Schmidt has announced the signings of
Crystal Wilson and Melony McKay of Kingston, Jamaica, to a national
letter-of-intent. Wilson and McKay will begin their Lady Bulldog careers during
the 2008-09 season.
Wilson comes to MSU from
South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. While under the direction of Coaches
Chris Beene and Blaine Wiley, Wilson achieved National Junior College
Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American status as a freshman in 2006 during
both the indoor and outdoor campaigns.
The transfer holds
the SPC outdoor record in the 4x400 relay (3 minutes, 44.69 seconds) and holds
the SPC indoor record in the 4x400 meter relay (3:51.62). Wilson also placed
second in the 4x400 relay at the 2007 NJCAA Outdoor Championships while adding
2007 NJCAA Outdoor All-American status to her resume.
“Crystal is one of three
NJCAA athletes that are bringing in all-American credentials with them,” said
Schmidt. “Being an all-American in track and field is something athletes earn by
performing at the National Championships on the track, no voting. Crystal has great talent
at 400 meters. She will be leading us with a worth ethic and talent worthy of
the SEC.”
Coming out of The
Queen’s School in Jamaica,
Wilson was the
fourth-fastest junior under 19 in the 400-meter dash under the helm of Lloyd
Clark. She also had personal-best times of 25.00 in the 200-meter dash and 53.9
in the 400-meter dash.
“When I visited, I
saw Mississippi State had a good facility,” said Wilson. “I liked the
academics department, as well. I also knew Coach Bryan (Fetzer) as a coach
before I came to the United
States.”
Wilson is the daughter of
Winston Mullings and Maureen Cunningham. She plans to major in early childhood
education upon her arrival on the MSU campus in the fall.
McKay led Essex
College (N.J.) to a junior college indoor championship in 2007 under Mike Smart.
McKay garnered NJCAA All-American honors in indoor and outdoor competition as a
freshman in the 600m, 400m and 4x400m relay.
McKay ran a
personal-best 54.85 in the 400-meter dash en route to a win at the 2007 New York
Relays.
“Melony joins her
Jamaican teammate Crystal Wilson,” said Schmidt. “They are both great 400 meter
runners in the open 400 and relays. Melony is not only an all-American, but she
has been part of a national championship team. These junior college athletes are
the best we have ever recruited from the junior college ranks. They will give us
experience and will help lead a talented group of
freshmen.”
The Kingston, Jamaica-native was a member of
Jamaica’s 4x400-meter relay that set
a Carifta Games Under 17 record with a time of 3:43.65.
“It was great to
finally sign the papers to come to Mississippi State,” said McKay. “I am so happy that I
did it and will have the opportunity to come to Mississippi State. Knowing that I am going to be
coached by Bryan (Fetzer), I feel Mississippi State is the best place for me
athletically and academically. I look forward to competing at Mississippi State because they are in one of the top
conferences in the nation.”
McKay is the
daughter of Veronica Taylor. McKay plans on majoring in risk management and
insurance planning in the fall.
“Coming from the
rich track and field tradition of Jamaica, they bring an understanding
of how to be successful,” said assistant coach Fetzer. “Both have been blessed
with being associated with excellent coaches in both high school and junior
college. They’re going to be fun to coach.”
-www.mstateathletics.com-