Destinee Rocker Sets School Record in 60-Meter Hurdles
Rocker's performance was one of five Gamecock efforts that earned top-10 marks in school history on Friday
CLEMSON—The South Carolina track and field teams saw five all-time top-10 performances in school history on the first day of competition at the Tiger Paw Invitational at the Rock Norman Track and Field Complex on Friday.
“Our kids are getting into SEC shape,” said head coach Curtis Frye. “We had a good day. Christian in the long jump, he’s at a point where if he can keep improving the next couple of meets, he might get to NCAA’s.
“Destinee Rocker had a top-10 NCAA time and a school record. Stephanie Davis with an indoor PR and she moved to No. 8 in the country. We had good races from Alysia Johnson and a good season opener from Makenzie Dunmore in the 400 meters. It’s been a great track meet and we’ve got more tomorrow.”
Destinee Rocker set a school record in the women’s 60-meter hurdles. In the semifinal round of the event, Rocker ran a time of 8.07 to set the new Gamecock school record. Rocker also moved into 10th in the country in the event.
Rocker went on to finish sixth in the finals of the 60-meter hurdles, competing against some of the top short hurdlers in the country this season.
Stephanie Davis continued her impressive season with a new indoor personal best in the 400 meters. She ran a time of 52.09 to take fourth overall. Davis moved up to No. 5 in school history and No. 8 in the NCAA this season.
Kayla Racine also moved up the Gamecock Indoor Performance list in the weight throw. She tossed the weight 19.12m/62-8.75 for a runner-up finish and a new personal best. It’s the first time Racine has broken the 19-meter barrier and is the eighth Gamecock to ever accomplish that feat. Racine moved up to No. 6 in school history in the weight throw.
Alex Costantino ran a time of 4:56.93 in the women’s Mile and notched a sixth-place finish with her time. Costantino moved into ninth all-time in school history. She was just .04 seconds from No. 8.
In other action on the women’s side, the Gamecocks put two additional athletes other than Davis in the top 10 of the 400 meters. Makenzie Dunmore made her Gamecock debut and took eighth, while Alysia Johnson finished 10th overall. Angel Frank and Aaliyah Pyatt also ran new personal bests in the 400 meters.
On the men’s side, Christian Lewis improved upon his long jump personal best with a mark of 7.71m/25-3.50 to win the event. He improves upon his own No. 6 mark in school history. Lewis also moved in to a tie for 16th in the NCAA, which puts him right on the cusp of qualification to the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Also on the men’s side, Anthony Greenhow, Jr. made it to the 60-meter semifinals where he ran a personal best of 6.75 to finish 15th. Sean Petersen also earned a top-10 finish in the Mile.
South Carolina track and field is slated for a 10 a.m. start to conclude the Tiger Paw Invitational on Saturday.
Men’s Individual Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
15. Anthony Greenhow, Jr. – 6.79Q
34. Gatlin Lawson – 6.99
37. Dominic Dutton – 7.00
–. Evan Miller – FS
60 Meters (Semis)
15. Anthony Greenhow, Jr. – 6.75
400 Meters
19. Will Spencer Jr. – 47.43
55. Jordan Sessom – 50.00
Mile
9. Sean Petersen – 4:13.01
19. George Luke – 4:26.53
–. Alexander Galbraith – DNF
60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
31. Elisha Brooks – 8.33
Long Jump
1. Christian Lewis – 7.71m/25-3.50
32. Elisha Brooks – 6.46m/21-2.50
–. Jaden Price-Whitehead – FOUL
–. Jalen Clark – FOUL
Women’s Individual Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
11. Tierra Frasier – 7.42q
T49. Devyn McMichael – 8.00
T49. Anastasia Sumpter – 8.00
60 Meters (Semis)
T10. Tierra Frasier – 7.37
400 Meters
4. Stephanie Davis – 52.09
8. Makenzie Dunmore – 54.03
10. Alysia Johnson – 54.21
16. Aaliyah Pyatt – 54.73
17. Angel Frank – 54.78
28. Pearl Nagbe – 55.68
66. Macie Kavanaugh – 59.00
Mile
6. Alex Costantino – 4:56.93
15. Savannah Bowers – 5:12.21
17. Isabella Pisani – 5:12.66
20. Emily Smith – 5:21.82
60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
5. Destinee Rocker – 8.13Q
60-Meter Hurdles (Semis)
5. Destinee Rocker – 8.07Q
60-Meter Hurdles (Final)
6. Destinee Rocker – 8.24
Weight Throw
2. Kayla Racine – 19.12m/62-8.75
Pole Vault
6. Emily Valentine – 3.74m/12-3.25
12. Emma Stone – 3.59m/11-9.25
–. Alyssa Rice – NH
–. Kelsey Worthington – NH
