Mississippi State long jumper Morrie Turner Jr. of Batesville placed third in the Birmingham Icebreaker Invitational Track and Field Meet December 7 and 8. Right now, he is ranked No. 8 in the nation.

He jumped 23’9.5”, the furthest he has jumped since starting this year.

He graduated from Hinds Community College and enrolled at Mississippi State.

Turner said it is more difficult and more competition.

The team will open the Indoor track season January 12 at the Samford Invitational and January 14 at the Alabama Invitational, both in Birmingham.

Rounding out the trio of Alabama meets will be the UAB Invitational in Birmingham on January 26.

From there, the Maroon and White will split up with part of the team traveling to Kentucky for the Rod McCravy Invite, while another group travels to New York for the New Balance Invitational.