DOHA, Qatar - Mississippi State freshman sensation Tavaris Tate finished his opening day at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Saturday as a member of Team USA's 4x400-meter relay in Doha, Qatar, in impressive style.



The Starkville, Miss., native ran third leg on the relay team, alongside notable professionals Greg Nixon, LeJerald Betters and Kerron Clement, as the foursome ran 3 minutes, 5.78 seconds to win their heat and have the leading time headed into Sunday's final, slated for 6:50 p.m.



COPELAND ENDS INDOOR CAREER AT STATE AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS FRIDAY



Senior Lady Bulldog Wendy Copeland closed the door on her indoor career Friday at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. Copeland finished in 16th place in the long jump. The Tupelo, Miss., native jumped 19 feet, 10 ¾ inches in her first trip to the NCAA Indoor meet. Blessing Okagbare of UTEP won the event jumping 22-06 ½.



Copeland begins her senior outdoor campaign March 20 at the Rhodes College Invitational.



IAAF Championships Results

Men's 4x400-Meter Relay Prelim

1. USA, 3:05.78

2. Jamaica, 3:06.03

3. Dominican Republic, 3:06.30

4. Belgium, 3:08.84

5. Great Britain & N.I., 3:09.59

6. Bahamas, 3:09.68

7. Russia, 3:09.86

8. Poland, 3:09.86

9. France, 3:11.40

10. Ireland, 3:13.00



NCAA Indoor Championships Results

Women's Long Jump Winner: Blessing Okagbare, 22-06 ½, UTEP

MSU: 16. Wendy Copeland, 19-10 ¾