The Jackson State University men's track program features a pair of student-athletes ranked in the Top 15 nationally in their respective events heading into next week's Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Prairie View.

Senior sprinter Shawn Collins and freshman jumper Sherman Hawkins Jr. have been among the nation's leaders in the 400-meter dash and high jump, respectively. Collins is currently ranked 14th in the 400, while Hawkins is ranked 16th in the high jump.

Collins' time of 45.60 seconds in the 400 at the Mississippi State Bulldog Relays just over a month ago was the fastest in the country. Now ranked 14th, the feeling of number one is one that he cherishes.

"At the time it felt unbelievable, coming off the previous season I just had, dealing with injuries and just mentally not being there for my team as well as myself," Collins said. "I really wanted to quit, but I'm glad I didn't because I had my coaches and my teammates to really keep me out here."

While Collins goes by the nickname Chuck, perhaps a better nickname would be Joker. By his own admission, Collins got into track as a joke after football season with a teammate during his junior year of high school. His new sport has taken his career to new levels.

"We were coming off of football season, and it was like, 'let's run track for fun,'" Collins said. "We ended up actually being good at it, and it took me further than what I expected."

In addition to the 400, where Collins still has the best time in the SWAC, Collins ranks sixth in the SWAC in the 100 with a season-best 10.39 seconds at Louisiana Tech, is second in the 200 with a season-best 20.83 seconds, and ran the second leg of the 4x100 relay last week at Louisiana Monroe where the Tigers posted a season-best 40.14, the second-fastest time in the SWAC this season.

Hawkins, a Washington state native by way of Ferriday, Louisiana, was ranked number two in the nation in the high jump following his 2.16 meters (7 feet, 1 inch) jump at Mississippi State on Mar. 23, a mark that still is the best in SWAC. Sherman ranks just outside the Top 8 in the conference in the long jump with a season-best 7.21 meters (23 feet  8 inches) at Ole Miss on Apr. 7.

"It means a lot (to be nationally ranked)," Hawkins said. "It means I'm growing. When I first started the outdoor season, I was 23rd. Going up…it feels good to me. It means I have more room to improve because I have a lot of people in front of me. I gotta keep working hard."

Coming off an injury in the indoor season, Hawkins modified his preparation which has paid off in the outdoor season. 

"It starts in the morning," Hawkins said. "I wake up earlier, read, meditate, pray and keep that consistently. Drink more water during the day and go even harder in practice."

Similar to Collins, Hawkins was a football and basketball athlete in high school before making his way to the track.

"I was trying to stay busy the whole year, so I saw track, and tried it out," Hawkins said. "I ended up liking it. I started in the sprints, and later went to the high jump and started liking it."

Collins, a three-time SWAC indoor SWAC Champion (200 champion in 2020 and 2023, 400 champion in 2020) and NCAA Regional qualifier in the 400, looks to claim SWAC gold next week in Texas for the first time.

"I have a championship mindset, and I want that for my team as well," Collins said. "We come out and compete every single day (in practice), and I want the best for me and my team…I like the challenge. I like having a little chip on my shoulder, and I always like competition."

Knowing everyone is targeting him as well, Hawkins is highly motivated and relishes the opportunity.

"Believe in it, and just achieve," Hawkins said. "My motivation is to become an All-American as a freshman – Top 16 (in the nation)."

Both the Jackson State women's and men's track and field teams return to action in the SWAC Track and Field Championships May 4-6 in Prairie View, Texas.

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