MEMPHIS - The Millsaps track and field team traveled up to Memphis on Saturday for the Rhodes College Invitational.

After getting on the vans at 4:45 am the Majors rode into Memphis at the same time as a heavy thunderstorm. The team found refuge in an overcrowded, but warm and dry, Mallory Gymnasium for the start of what would be a challenging meet.

Despite the rain, cold temperatures and temptation towards dejected attitudes, the team pulled through the meet with surprising agility and grace. Junior Kasey Laird set three school records in the javelin, shot put and hammer.

Senior Erica Cook, a small but powerful sprinter, blew the other runners away as she took first place in the 100 meter dash. Chris Duck, a freshman, achieved a personal record in the 5k run, and Jonathan Moore, a freshman as well, placed 3rd in his first outdoor meet in the 110 meter hurdles while facing a headwind and brutal cold.

This was also the Majors' first time competing in the 4x100 meter relay in which they scored well and earned points for the team. The last two events in the meet, the 4x800 meter relay and the 4x400 meter relay, were underway before the teams experienced a glimpse of sunlight.

The Majors succeeded in capturing 3rd place in their first ever 4x800, including a personal record for Sara Sacks. The 4x400 was also a solid race for the road weary team.

Coach Andy Till's squad continues to make good progress as the season continues, under hopefully brighter skies. The Majors' next meet is this Friday at the Mississippi State University Twilight Invitational, where they will look to apply some of the hard-gained experience from this week's competition.