Track & Field Kicks off 2023 Calendar with Gamecock Opener
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 13, 2023) – With the full swing of track & field beginning this weekend, the South Carolina Gamecocks will play host to the 2023 Gamecock Opener on Saturday inside the Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex.
Follow the Meet
Live results for the 2023 Gamecock Opener can be found by clicking here. Fans can also follow along with updates on Twitter by following @GamecockTrack.
Know Before You Go
Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex does have a CLEAR BAG POLICY that will be in effect. Learn everything you need to know about the Clear Bag Policy by clicking here. There is also a WATER BOTTLE POLICY for all patrons and that is: one clear, plastic disposable water bottle is permitted. No hard, non-clear refillable bottles are allowed inside the facility.
Ticket Information
There is a $10 fee for any adults wishing to attend the meet. Children that are 17 and under gain entry for $5, while kids 2 and under are free. Students get in free with their Carolina Card and faculty/staff also receive free entry with the addition of three free tickets.
Meet Information
The Gamecock Opener will begin at 10 a.m. with women’s pole vault, and men’s and women’s long jump kicking things off. The first track event will be the men’s 3K beginning at 10:15 a.m. There will be a full slate of events throughout the meet, culminating with the coveted 4x400m relay for the men at 5:25 and the women at 5:35. Doors to the meet will open at 8 a.m. There will be a total of 16 teams competing this weekend, including the likes of Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, UNC Asheville and USC Upstate.
Coaches Corner
What he is looking for from the Gamecocks this weekend
“Coming off Christmas break, we are wanting to see who is fit after coming off a long break. We started practice last Wednesday, so this gives us a chance to see where they are physically. This is a season where we will compete every weekend, so everyone will get a chance to compete and push themselves. This weekend is all about getting as many people as possible a first rep and look at the season.”
What is so special about opening the calendar season at home
“You want to run at home because you are able to rest here at home and get over the soreness in the comfort of your own room and own training staff. The thing about having a quality facility is you get chances to get quality reps in without the expense of having to travel. We were also able to practice for a full week on the track that we will be competing on and that is always a positive thing.”
Top 50 Competitors
The Gamecocks have one meet under their belt after the Clemson Opener back in December. With the success of that meet, Carolina boasts nine marks inside the Top 50 that will be back in action this weekend, including the women’s 4x400m relay team of Angel Frank, Aalliyah Francis, Jahnile Registre and Alysia Johnson that currently hold the nation’s fastest time of 3:39.89. The men’s 4x400m relay squad of Evan Miller, Jayson Ward, EJ Richardson and William Spencer rank fourth in the country with a time of 3:12.46. Carolina newcomers, Ward and Elena Kelety, have already left their mark with Ward ranking third in the 400m (48.19) and Kelety ranking eighth in the 400m (55.20). Filip Demsar is coming off a second-place finish in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.89, currently ranking eighth in the NCAA.
A December to Remember
The Gamecocks captured seven podiums at Clemson on December 2, including five wins on the women’s side. One of those wins was Aalliyah Francis who ran the fastest 300m time in program history with a mark of 36.83 – the 10th fastest 300m in USTFCCCA history. Elena Kelety captured the 400m win, while Jahnile Registre claimed the 800m podium and Mia Joseph vaulted into the win in women’s pole vault. Jayson Ward won the men’s 400m, while fellow newcomer Blair Brooks captured the win in the long jump with a distance of 7.26m (23-10), the 33rd-longest jump of the season.
Season Debuts
The Gamecocks will have 58 student-athletes competing this weekend, including 29 individuals making their season debuts. On the women’s side, Jayla Jamison, Kayla Racine and KD Young highlight the 18 female competitors making their season debuts this weekend. There will also be 14 distance runners set to kickoff their indoor participation tomorrow. On the men’s side, 11 individuals will be making their season debut, including Anthony Greenhow, Carson Lenser and Dylan Targgart.
