Woody Barnett Track & Field Site For The Meet Of Champions
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After many years of absence, the Mississippi Meet of Champions will be returning. The meet will be hosted by Bianca Knight, Ridgeland High School alumnus.
Bianca Knight
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There will be 8* qualifiers for the meet with the Champion in each event in the MHSAA 1A-6A meets The next two will be the top two boys and girls in the MSAIS Championships. If the top qualifier declines then the next one will be invited.
The men's and women's short sprints (100, 200, 400 meters) Will allow a total of 16 athletes as those events are pretty deep with talent. The same holds for other events more can be invited. Athletes in the MHSAA 1A-3A-5A meet will be able to sign up for the Meet of Champions at the State Meet on Thursday.
Each athlete and relay team must compete as an individual or as a club team. School uniforms will not be worn.
Meet date, time, and location:
The meet will be held on May 8th at Pearl High School.
Coaches and Officials' meeting will be at 12 noon. Field Events will start at 1:00 p.m. and running events will start at 2:00 p.m.
Order of events: Will be the same order run at the MHSAA Track & Field meets
Registration: It is open for those who are the Champions from the MHSAA 2A-4A-6A meet and those that finished as the top two marks in the MAIS Overall Meet. Look for the MAIS Overall combined meet to see if you automatically qualify. The article for the MAIS will be up this afternoon. MHSAA 1A-3A-5A Champions will have a chance to sign up Thursday at the meet after you win your event.
World Record And 2012 Olympic Champions
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Bianca Knight won the female Gatorade Athlete of the Year in 2006 while at Ridgeland High. She attended the University of Texas and in her freshman year won the 2008 indoor NCAA 200 meter championship in a collegiate record time of 22.40. She turned professional after that and just missed the U.S. Olympic Team finishing 5th in the 2008 Olympic Trials 200 meters. At the 2012 Summer Olympics Bianca won a team gold representing the U.S. in the 4X100 meter relay. The team of Tianna Madison Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, and Carmelita Jeter broke a standing 27-year-old World Record running 40.82. They broke the World Record of 41.37 held by East Germany set 10/06/1985
Note "all photos used are by permission of Bianca Knight"