COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 23, 2024) – South Carolina Track & Field was on full display on Saturday at the Cregger Track, closing the 2024 Weems Baskin Invitational in style with 12 wins and two program records.
Cynteria James was responsible for one of the wins and one of the program records, doing so in the women’s 100-meter sprint. The young freshman got the attention of everyone inside the facility after clocking a program record and facility record time of 11.01 (1.7). James clocked the fastest time in the NCAA in the final race to lead the charge for the Gamecocks as well as the current top time on the world leaderboard. Teammate Zaya Akins ran 11.26 (1.7) in the finals for the ninth best time in program history and the third fastest time in the East Region.
South Carolina picked up a pair of wins in the 200m and the 400m as well. Aalliyah Francis captured the 200m crown after running 22.92 (2.4) to sit as the top time in the NCAA this season. In addition, Francis’ time stands as the eighth-fastest outdoor 200m in program history. Prior to the 200m, JaMeesia Ford made her outdoor debut for the Gamecocks in the 400m and it was a race to remember. The two-time NCAA indoor champion posted a time of 51.16 for the fastest time in the NCAA this season and the seventh best time in Gamecock history. In addition to her NCAA ranking, Ford’s time now ranks 14th in the current world standings. Ford was followed by Jahnile Registre (54.27) with the 10th fastest time in the region and Sylvia Chelangat (54.87) who clocked the 15th best time in the East Region.
The final win of the day for the Gamecock women came from the 4×400 meter relay squad of JaMeesia Ford, Zaya Akins, Sylvia Chelangat and Aalliyah Francis who turned in a time of 3:34.80 to rank fourth in the East Region. South Carolina also had a pair of runner-up finishes in the women’s field events as Hannah Togami cleared 3.85m (12-7.5) in the pole vault to rank 10th all time in Gamecock history and Prommyse Hoosier jumped 6.06m/19-10.75 (2.2) to rank 10th in the regional standings.
South Carolina men were responsible for eight total wins and one individual program record. Veteran sprinter and First Team All-American from the indoor season, Anthony Greenhow, set a new Gamecock record in the 100m prelims when he clocked 10.01 (4.3) for the fastest time in the NCAA and in the world. Fellow teammate Nyck Harbor ran 10.16 (0.5) for the fifth best time in school history and the third fastest time…