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Hailing from Pearl High School and competing for Meridian Community College in the Fall of 2022, MileSplit Mississippi is sending off the 1:57 800m runner and 3rd place finisher at the 2022 MHSAA 6A Track and Field State Championships, Dominic Turner!
Turner is a two-time medalist in the 800m at the MHSAA 6A level, the deepest class and henceforth the toughest class to snag a medal in the state of Mississippi.
Turner was also a part of the historical 4x800m relay at the 2022 MHSAA 6A Track and Field State Championships, in which he anchored Pearl to a 8:08.93 runner-up finish, running the No. 3 time in MHSAA Track and Field State Meet history.
Turner lowered his 800m PR from 1:59.7 to 1:57.6. He also dropped his 1600m time a full 20 seconds, going from 5:02 to 4:42.
Meridian Community College is a junior college located in Meridian, Miss., and competes at the NJCAA Division I level.
Once at M.C.C., Turner will predominantly focus on the 400m and 800m, joining a strong middle-distance crew. Their top performer in the 800m is Amos Beadle at 1:52.6, and their squad time is 1:57.5.
Turner will be working towards a degree in Kinesiology, which is the study of the body and its mechanical movements.
We asked Turner some questions and insight in regards to his high school career, what he loves about running, and some advice that he would leave behind to all of the track and field athletes that are still on their journey.
Check them out below!
GOOGLE FORM: Senior Sendoff Survey
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Q: Explain your 'running journey'... (How did you get into running, how did your senior season go, and how did you get connected with the college that you are going to?)
A: I was always a very energetic kid growing up. I was always running around all over the place and playing as many sports as possible in elementary school. In seventh grade, I finally began running track and haven't looked back since. I have been in contact with MCC all school year and I also have former classmates that went there as well.
Q: What is your most memorable meet/race and why?
A: My most memorable meet is the 2022 Woody Barnett invitational. This is where the George Kersh invitational 800m took place. It was very humbling and will go down as the most important race for my career going forward.
Q: Out of all your high school achievements, which one means the most to you and why?
A: My most important high school achievement is unexpectedly running a 4:42 mile. I find joy in shocking people with what I'm capable of, and running this time was definitely a shock.
Q: If you could go back and do it all over again, what would you change, if anything?
A: I wouldn't change anything about my high school experience. Yes, mistakes were made along the way, but it was all to get me to where I am now.
Q: Who is somebody that you look up to/someone that helped you along your journey to get you where you are today?
A: I would say someone that has helped me a lot is Miguel Bankston. We've been rivals for a long time, and we get the best out of each other every time we're on the track together. He'll always put up some crazy fast time in the 800, and it would give me something the reach for during the season. Along with guys like myself, Ben, Curt, Sydney, Robert, and all the 800m runners have made the 800m race a must-see every meet.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I will miss the brotherhood that was built between all of my teammates and opponents on the track throughout the years.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to the younger athletes that are just getting started on their journey?
A: Just run. As you progress in the sport, a lot of stress will build up. There will be highs and also lows. Not every meet will be a success. The most important thing is that you have to know that you did your best no matter what the outcome is.
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