250Athletics During the 400-meter race at the Ole Miss Classic track meet on March 24-25, 2023, senior Dakarai Bush broke a 20-year-old Harding record on his way to a firstplace finish. Bush posted a time of 46.60 seconds, besting Tyler Kemmerer’s time of 47.20 seconds, which was set in 2003. Bush recorded the fastest time for the event so far this season in Division II. The sprinter also earned first place in the 200 meters with a time of 21.33 seconds, a new personal best. In addition, he was part of the four-member team that finished second in the 4x100-meter relay. Bush said his approach leading up to a meet was to focus on the preparation he did leading up to that point. “My mindset is, I’ve put in all this work, so I’m just going to run my hardest,” Bush said. Head track and field coach Don Hood said Bush combined his natural talent with his work ethic and character to find success on the track. “Dakarai is one of the greatest competitors I’ve ever been around,” Hood said. “It never surprises me when he wins because he is just driven internally to be the best he can possibly be … He’s a relentless worker. He’s sculpted himself into an ideal athlete through hard work, persistence, sheer determination and a will to win that a lot of guys don’t have.” Senior Krishaun Watson, who competed with Bush in the 4x100 relay said Bush always gave his best effort in practice and pushed everyone on the team to improve each day. “He is a great teammate that will give you his all whether he is tired or feeling amazing,” Watson said. “He strives to improve not only at every meet but also every day in practice.” Bush earned multiple first-team All-GAC awards in 2021 and 2022. His main goal for the 2022-23 season was to win a national championship in the 400-meter event or hurdles, as well as become an All-American athlete. Bush also had aspirations for the track and field team to earn a national championship, following their Great American Conference title last spring [2022]. “That’s really the main goal,” Bush said. “And conference champion would be good too.” Bush’s record-breaking legacy continued through the 2023-24 season. In May 2023, Bush captured his first national championship in the 400-meter event at the NCAA Division Outdoor Championships in Pueblo, Colorado. The victory was Harding’s first 400-meter national championship in program history. 10 months later, Bush added to his illustrious career. The Texas-native won his second career national championship in the 400-meter event at the Division II Indoor Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas. With a time of 46.88 seconds, Bush helped the Bisons to an eighth-place finish. Written by Sophie Rossitto with contributions by Nic Fraraccio BREAKS RECORDS Junior Dakarai Bush breaks a 20-year-old Harding record in a 400-meter race. Bush
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