JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 26, 2023) – The South Carolina Men’s Track & Field team concluded its regional appearance on Friday afternoon at the Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium. Anass Essayi and Filip Demsar secured spots in the NCAA Track & Field Championship that will take place June 7-10 in Austin, Texas.
“Anass and Filip competed their butts off today,” stated Head Coach Curtis Frye. “I was very proud of them for running to their potential and they have worked so hard this season to earn their spots in Austin. To also earn their spots through the automatic qualifying and not having to rely on time, speaks volume to where they are at physically and mentally right now. We thought we had a third qualifier in Evan, but unfortunate circumstances resulted in a tough disqualification. You hate to see a season end like that, but again I am very proud of our guys this season and they worked their tails off for this team and this university. Now time for the women to finish off the regional on a high note tomorrow.”
Essayi was the first Gamecock to secure his spot in the semifinals, doing so in the 1500m. The Morocco native finished second in the opening heat with a time of 3:53.83, placing 14th overall in the event. Essayi opened with a 300m split of 52.27, before running 1:09.58 in his first full 400m lap. Essayi then opened a sizeable lead over the next 500m before coasting the final 300m to an automatic berth into Austin.
Demsar earned an automatic bid into the 110-meter hurdles semifinals after placing second in the final heat with a time of 13.60 (5.8). The Slovenia native turned in a sixth-place overall finish, running composed out of lane number two. Demsar’s appearance in Austin will be the veteran hurdler’s first NCAA Outdoor Championship appearance.
The Gamecocks will close out the 2023 NCAA East Regional tomorrow as the women cap off the regional festivities. The Gamecocks will first take the track at 5 p.m. in the 4x100m relay.
Men’s Individual Results
200 Meters (Quarterfinals)
22. Evan Miller – 21.31 (2.2)
400 Meters (Quarterfinals)
— Evan Miller – DQ
1,500 Meters (Quarterfinals)
14. Anass Essayi – 3:53.83Q
5,000 Meters (Quarterfinals)
42. Rogerio Amaral – 14:35.76
4×100 Meter Relays (Quarterfinals)
— Black, Miller, Greenhow, Floyd – DQ
110-Meter Hurdles (Quarterfinals)
6. Filip Demsar – 13.60Q (5.8)
High Jump
34. Kobe Franklin – 1.99m/6-6.25
Discus
26. Dylan Targgart – 53.49m/175-6