Track and Field . April 13, 2024

Track & Field Puts Finishing Touches on Tom Jones Invitational

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (April 13, 2024) – South Carolina Track & Field put a bow on the 2024 Tom Jones Invitational on Saturday, turning in nine Top-10 results on the final day.

The men’s squad turned in three Top-10 results, highlighted by Anass Essayi who finished fifth in the 800m with a new personal best time of 1:47.28 for the second fastest 800m in program history and the sixth best in the region. Nyck Harbor and Dylan Targgart were responsible for the other Top-10 marks for the men with Harbor finishing eighth in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.32 (-0.3) and Targgart finishing 10th in the discus after throwing 52.87m (173-5).

The Gamecock women competed in seven events on the day and turned in six Top-10 performances, led by a fifth place finish from the 4x100m squad and a fifth place finish by JaMeesia Ford in the women’s 400m. The relay squad of Jayla Jamison, Cynteria James, Zaya Akins and Ford ran a time of 43.25, marking a new season best for the Gamecock quartet. They finished fifth overall and tied the sixth fastest 4x100m relay time in program history, while also ranking third in the East Region.

Ford also finished fifth in the 400m, running a personal best time of 50.81 to sit fourth in the Gamecock record books and second in the East Region. Akins (52.14) and Jahnile Registre (52.35) also turned in personal best times in the 400m, sliding into the Top-20 in the region.

The next best finish belonged to Lena Richardson in the women’s pole vault, finishing sixth after clearing a height of 3.74m (12-3.25), followed by Judy Kosgei who finished seventh in the 800m after running 2:03.51.

The final two Top-10 marks belonged to Cynteria James in the 100m, running 11.25 (1.6) and the women’s 4x400m relay squad of Akins, Jamison, Sylvia Chelangat and Registre who finished 10th by turning in a time of 3:32.69.

South Carolina will host its final home meet of the season next weekend when the Gamecocks honor the 2024 Senior Class at the USC Open on Saturday, April 20. Several members of the team will head to the Wake Forest Invitational the day prior on Friday, April 19.

Men’s Individual Results
100 Meters
8. Nyck Harbor – 10.32 (-0.3)
14. Anthony Greenhow – 10.39 (0.1)
39. Prescott Jefferson – 10.64 (-1.3)

400 Meters (Invite)
33. Jasauna Dennis – 46.91
45. Jayson Ward – 47.69

800 Meters
5. Anass Essayi – 1:47.28*
23. Aidan Hatton – 1:49.19*
29. Joshua Kosgei – 1:49.98

4×100 Meter Relay
15. Dennis, Harbor, Bond, Greenhow – 40.02

4×400 Meter Relay
28. Ward, Dennis, Greenhow, Harbor – 3:14.48

110-Meter Hurdles (Invite – Prelims)
22. David Warmington – 14.07 (-0.4)

Triple Jump
12. Theo Mudzengerere – 14.89m/48-10.25 (1.4)

Discus (Invite)
10. Dylan Targgart – 52.87m/173-5

Women’s Individual Results
100 Meters
8. Cynteria James – 11.25 (1.6)

400 Meters (Invite)
5. JaMeesia Ford – 50.81*
14. Zaya Akins – 52.14*
18. Jahnile Registre – 52.35*
39. Aalliyah Francis – 56.24

800 Meters
7. Judy Kosgei – 2:03.51
21. Sylvia Chelangat – 2:06.81
53. Ally Wilson – 2:12.93

4×100 Meter Relay
5. Jamison, James, Akins, Ford – 43.25