Mississippi College track stars shine on international stage

Special to The Clinton Courier

This summer, Mississippi College was represented at the international stage as current Choctaw athletes competed in their respective national track and field championships. Jan Lukas Becker and Niklas Klei showcased their talents at the 2023 German Track and Field National Championships, while Fabio Palmieri competed in the 2023 Italian Club Championships.

Becker, the MC record holder in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m and 2023 NCAA Division II National Champion in the men’s 10,000m, made his mark at the German Championships. Competing in the men’s 5,000m, Becker fought hard against a talented field, placing a commendable sixth overall with a time of 14:09.

Meanwhile, Klei, who holds the school record for the men’s 400-meter dash in both indoor and outdoor, displayed his speed and endurance at the same event. Running his specialty event, the men’s 400-meter dash, Klei placed fifth overall, clocking a lifetime best of 46.5 seconds, reinforcing his position as one of Germany’s top 400-meter athletes.

Over in Italy, Palmieri, who recently garnered All-American finishes in the men’s 4×400-meter relay at both the indoor and outdoor 2023 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships, took on the men’s 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash at the Italy Club Championships. Palmieri covered the 200m in 21.39 seconds, and the 400m in 48.36 seconds.

School leaders say these performances further establish MC’s reputation for cultivating world-class athletic talent. While the Choctaws have made a significant impact internationally, the focus now returns to home soil, with the athletes eager to return to Clinton to continue their relentless pursuit of excellence and record-breaking performances.