BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham-Southern men's and women's outdoor track and field is primed for a push at Southern Athletic Association championships. The senior class has had a taste of the title and is hungry for another.
"This team is growing each and every week," said Head Coach Kenneth Cox. This season will be exciting and rewarding for the Panthers. The men welcome back two-time All-American Luke Ballard (Hoover, Ala./Hoover HS), SAA champion Mike Benning (Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor School), and BSC record holders Jordan Jones (Powder Springs, Ga./Hiram HS) and John Jacobs, IV (Albany, Ga./Deerfield-Windsor HS).
Ballard has won the javelin throw at conference championships for two straight years and broke the program record last season. Benning is the reigning 110 hurdles champion, grabbing the title in his freshman year.
"Luke continues to improve and get stronger," added Cox. "And Mike is not settling for last year as enough. He continues to improve."
Both Jones and Jacobs hold program records in jumps. Jones, a national triple jump qualifier, recently broke the indoor triple jump record and holds the indoor long jump and outdoor triple jump records. He was also named all-region last year. Jacobs is the reigning outdoor long jump record holder.
"Jordan is stepping into a leadership role with a lot of energy and John has been a part of the program for three years and understands his role to lead young team members and wants this to be his best year yet," Cox noted.
Looking to lead the women are all-region sprinter Kamryn Bendolph (Madison, Ala./Columbia HS), SAA champions Alexus Lindsey (Holly Pond, Ala./Fairview HS) and Monasia Taylor (Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer HS), and veteran thrower Jazmin Norris (Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS). Lindsey was a member of a conference champion 4x100m relay team and earned second-team all-conference in pole vault. She and fellow senior Norris will continue to be leaders on the track and in the field.
"Alexus has the experience of being a conference champion over the years and All-SAA," said Cox. "She is committed to helping the women's team remain close and overall committed to finish what she starter her collegiate career. Jazmin has worked hard in the offseason to make the most of her senior year."
Sophomores Bendolph and Taylor each earned SAA titles in their freshman years. Bendolph took the 400m title by breaking the school record, while Taylor won the 100m dash.
"Kamryn had a successful freshman year and is a team leader," said Cox. "Monasia is working hard as a team leader to set the tone for the women in training and competition. She remains hungry."
The Panthers welcomed a host of newcomers to the Hilltop this year. "I am excited about all of our freshmen," said Cox. "They have all committed to becoming one family and training together, which makes it fun to be around them."
BSC opens the outdoor season at home in the annual 'Southern Invitational March 13-14 at Krulak Stadium. They then compete at University of Alabama, Birmingham and Montevallo before returning home for senior day and the Hilltop Classic on Saturday, March 28. The 2020 SAA Championships will be April 24-25 in Memphis, Tenn.
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