STARKVILLE — Starkville High School senior Slater Richardson knew this was his final opportunity.
After finishing second in the 1,600 meters at the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship track and field meet, Richardson knew he had one final chance to exit the program as a state champion.
Richardson made the most of that shot minutes later when he won the 800 for the school’s only state title in the sport this season.
“It was just a huge relief,” Richardson said. “I had been aiming for that state championship. It was good to see the hard work pay off. After the near-miss in the 1,600, it came down to the last race, and fortunately, it worked out.”
Richardson continued his week of good fortune Thursday by signing a National Letter of Intent to compete in track and field at Mississippi State.
While Richardson could have found an easy fit by signing with his hometown school, the Bulldogs still had to win him over.
“It came down to Mississippi State and Southern Miss,” Richardson said. “State really had a strong program in the major I wanted. I want to go into kinesiology. When talking to one of the professors at State, he had gone (to Southern Miss) for kinesiology and he said I should be taking it (at MSU).”
The other sales job had to come from the track program.
“(The decision was made after) I was able to observe one of their practices,” Richardson said. “The facilities are top notch. The team is together, like one big family, very similar to what we have had here over the years at Starkville. This seemed like the type of program where I could really grow as a student and as an athlete.”
Starkville High cross country coach Meggan Franks coached Richardson in the fall and said he has an incredible work ethic.
“(He is) a prepared person who knows what it takes to succeed at his sport,” Franks said. “He is going to go far because he understands the work ethic it takes to perform at a high level. Running track is about keeping your focus for 12 months out of year and continuing to work hard when other things are going on, as well.”
Richardson shared his signing day with best friend John Alex Mulrooney, who signed with Meridian Community College.
“It’s just a dream come true,” said Mulrooney, who specializes in the mile. “It happened fast, but I am deeply appreciative for the coaches at Meridian giving me this opportunity. Slater and I have basically been best friends since we started running track together in ninth grade. To be a part of his special day really means a lot to me.”
Richardson said the togetherness of the Starkville High track program has made it one of the best in Class 6A. At MSU, Richardson will join former Yellow Jacket Lake Spradling, who is a distance runner for the Bulldogs.
“When I was a freshman, the juniors and seniors took me under their wings,” Richardson said. “They did that with all the freshman. They pushed us to be our best. This sport is about individual performance, but it is also about teamwork. When you have guys pushing you when you are down, it means a lot.
“What we learned as freshmen, we tried to pay back this year as seniors. Any encouragement we could give the younger guys, we were there to do it.”
Mulrooney has made a lot of lasting bonds on the track.
“The sport has been very good to both of us,” Mulrooney said. “You are going to get out what you put into it. All of the hard work has paid off with a chance to have a college scholarship. I think we are both excited about the next challenge and trying to learn how to compete on the next level.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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