Dylan Targgart Punches Ticket To NCAA Outdoor Championships
The Gamecocks kicked off the NCAA East Regional in style, qualifying five athletes to the second round of competition and punching one ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday at the Haugh Track & Field Complex.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—The Gamecocks kicked off the NCAA East Regional in style, qualifying five athletes to the second round of competition and punching one ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday at the Haugh Track & Field Complex.
Dylan Targgart claimed a ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the Gamecocks. He took 11th in the shot put with a mark of 18.91m/62-0.50 to clinch a trip to Eugene, Oregon. The redshirt freshman from Coldwater, Michigan, was the first Gamecock to qualify for Nationals in June.
“Dylan’s performance was phenomenal,” said head coach Curtis Frye. “For a young man to come into this meet in the second-best flight and was seeded about 15th. He managed the stress of the meet as the champion that he is.”
On the track, five of six Gamecocks advanced to the second round of competition, which is set for Friday.
Anass Essayi finished as the fastest qualifier in the 1,500 meters. He ran a controlled race with Alabama’s Eliud Kipsang and passed the Crimson Tide foe in the final straightaway and cross the line with a time of 3:41.81.
William Spencer Jr. ran his second-fastest time of the year in the 400-meter hurdles. He clocked in with a time of 49.68 for the second-fastest first round time. Spencer Jr. clinched a spot in Friday’s second round with his performance.
“Will managed his race well,” Frye said. “He was in a challenging heat and had to overcome a runner that took him in the straightaway. It’s been a while since he’s seen a challenge like that, so that was a good sign.”
Filip Demsar took care of business in the first round of the 110-meter hurdles. He ran a time of 13.75 to finish second in his heat and earn an automatic advancement to the second round. Demsar’s performance marked his second-fastest time of the season.
Doval Simmonds also earned an automatic bid to the second round in the 400 meters. He took second in his heat with a time of 46.81 to advance to Friday’s race. Simmonds’ time marks his third-fastest of the year.
In the 200 meters, Evan Miller advanced on an automatic qualifier. He ran out of Lane 3 and took third in his heat with a time of 20.77 to advance to the second round. Anthony Greenhow, Jr. barely missed out on Friday’s races, finishing in 25th with a time of 20.82.
The Gamecock men have the day off on Thursday, making way for women’s competition to begin in The Hoosier State. With inclement weather again in the forecast, the women’s track action was moved up four hours. The women’s hammer throw is still slated for a 10 a.m. start and Gamecocks will also represent in the shot put, which was moved to 5:45 p.m.
Men’s Individual Results
200 Meters – First Round
22. Evan Miller – 20.77Q
25. Anthony Greenhow, Jr. – 20.82
400 Meters – First Round
23. Doval Simmonds – 46.81Q
1,500 Meters – First Round
1. Anass Essayi – 3:41.81Q
110-Meter Hurdles – First Round
18. Filip Demsar – 13.75Q
400-Meter Hurdles – First Round
2. William Spencer Jr. – 49.68Q
Shot Put – First Round
11. Dylan Targgart – 18.91m/62-0.50q
Pole Vault – First Round
T27. Carson Lenser – 5.04m/16-6.50
