MOBILE, Ala. - The Talladega College track and field teams headed south this weekend to take part in the 2023 Southern States Athletic Conference outdoor championships, and on the first day of the meet, the Tornadoes got off to a great start.

'Dega track set a pair of SSAC Men's Championship records, and Christian Louis added his name to the list of NAIA automatic qualifiers. Emmanuel Niang got the record-setting party off and rolling in the preliminary heats of the 110-meter hurdles. Niang raced across the line in 13.95 seconds to post a new SSAC record in the event. As the afternoon wrapped up, Nastario Williams added a SSAC record time of 21.18 seconds in the preliminary heats of the 200-meter dash. 

The 'Dega men's track team racked up 10 points in the two running and four field events contested and finalized on the first day of the meet. Makel Patrick (7th, 6.59 meters) and Tre Simmons (8th, 6.30 meters) each scored for the Tornadoes in the long jump, and PAtrick tied for third in the high jump (1.79 meters). The Tornadoes also snagged two points with a 7th-place finish in the 4.800-meter relay (8:40.33).

On the women's side, Josephine Gates was the lone 'Dega women's athlete to finish in the points on Friday. She finished seventh in the high jump with a mark of 1.44 meters.

The Championships will conclude on Saturday with the remaining 15 events contested and the SSAC titles on the line. The meet Saturday events are slated to begin at 10 a.m.