Mississippi State Track & Field Signs No. 1 High School Athlete

STARKVILLE, Miss - Coach Steve Dudley had one last thing to do before Mississippi State made its way to Baton Rouge for the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships last week. First, he had to meet with Strymar Livingston about his potential college career in Starkville.

"Recruiting is a big part of my job here at State," Dudley said. "Yes, competing is important, but if you do not take the time to recruit quality athletes, you will never get the chance to truly compete."

Dudley knew this meeting was important, because Livingston is not just any recruit. Holding the current 500- and 600-meter national indoor high school records, should Livingston sign with the Bulldogs he would be poised to make quite the impact on an already talented team.

Dudley had the meeting with Livingston and when it concluded, the Christopher Columbus HS senior chose the Maroon and White over Baylor, Tennessee and Rutgers.

"I love everything about Mississippi State," stated Livingston. "The team chemistry and the coaches really impressed me, especially coach Steve. He really pushes his athletes to do their best. He is a great motivator, and that is what I wanted in a coach."

Livingston also fell in love with how beautiful the town and campus are. Coming from Bronx, N.Y., Livingston also liked how big and open MSU is.

"It all came down to Mississippi State being the right fit for me," added Livingston. "I am looking forward to getting down there, and starting a new chapter in my life."

It's a new chapter that will involve Livingston stepping right in to compete for the Bulldogs in both the 400- and 800-meter races, moving him one step closer to his goals of winning SEC and NCAA titles and hopefully one day earning a spot in the Olympics.

Livingston will enroll at MSU in the fall. He plans to study Engineering.