Tyler Nichols and Emme Bates clinched gold medals on the final day of the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Mobile, Alabama. Nichols tied his personal best in the men's high jump with a clearance of 7-1¾, ranking him third in the Division I performance list. Bates set a new facility record in the women's 800 meters with a personal best of 2:06.88. Southern Miss finished sixth overall in both men's and women's team standings, while Texas State claimed the conference titles in their final Sun Belt season. The Golden Eagles now await NCAA East Preliminaries selections.

By the Numbers
  • Nichols cleared 7-1¾ (2.18m), tying his personal best.
  • Bates finished the 800 meters in 2:06.88, setting a facility record.
  • Southern Miss scored 75 points in the men's standings, finishing sixth.
  • In women's standings, Southern Miss finished sixth with 67 points.
State of Play
  • Southern Miss athletes achieved multiple personal bests throughout the championships.
  • Texas State secured both men's and women's championship titles in their final season with the Sun Belt Conference.
  • The Golden Eagles performed consistently across events, with several top finishes in both men's and women's divisions.
What's Next

The Southern Miss track and field team will prepare for the upcoming NCAA East Preliminaries, taking place from May 27 to May 30 in Lexington, Kentucky. Athletes will aim to qualify for the national championship events based on their performance in this preliminary round.

Bottom Line

Southern Miss showcased strong performances at the Sun Belt Championships, highlighted by gold medal achievements from Nichols and Bates. The team is poised for further success as they transition to the NCAA East Preliminaries, where continued excellence could propel them to national recognition.