Indoor Meet #3 – Gamecock Inaugural

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new school record by Arinze Chance made a historic evening truly special as the University of South Carolina track & field team competed on day one of the Gamecock Inaugural. Chance posted a new Gamecock record of 46.15 in the indoor 400m on the first-ever day of competition at the newly-remodeled Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex.

Chance’s time is the fastest 400m run in the NCAA this season, and it also sets a Guyana national record in the event. It’s the second national record in as many weeks for the senior, who broke his nation’s mark in the indoor 300m last week at the Orange & Purple Elite.

Chance was one of four Gamecocks to taste victory Friday as the team officially opened its new indoor facility. Stephanie Davis (women’s 400m Invite), Anna Kathryn Stoddard (women’s 300m) and Noah Walker (men’s Open 400m) also etched their names into the record books as Gamecock victors on the first day of the new facility.

The first Gamecock to taste victory on the new track was Walker. The Rock Hill native dominated the second heat of the men’s Open 400m with a time of 48.85, and that time stood as the best of the quarter mile’s Open flight.

The first Gamecock women’s victory went to Stoddard, who led the 3000m wire-to-wire. Making her 2019 season debut, Stoddard shattered her personal best with a mark of 10:01.77, nearly 12 seconds better than her previous PR.

Davis stepped onto the track for her first 400m appearance of the season and was dynamite from start to finish, laying down an Invite-winning time of 53.35. That’s a new indoor personal record for the sophomore and the third-fastest time in the NCAA this season, trailing only fellow Gamecocks Aliyah Abrams and Wadeline Jonathas. Tatyana Mills came in third with a time of 56.39.

Carolina’s success in the women’s 400m Invite set the stage for a truly special effort from Chance in the men’s flight. His time of 46.15 breaks Jonathan Fortenberry’s 16-year old mark of 46.19.

“Two records in two weeks – what more could a guy ask for?” Chance said after the race. “I’m just having fun. I’m just happy that I’m here, and I can compete and do what I love.”

All three Gamecocks who entered the women’s 60m Invite advanced to Saturday’s final. Maiya Dendy was the top qualifier with a time of 7.41, while Wadeline Jonathas and Makyla Stanley each ran 7.49. The Gamecock trio will race for the title tomorrow at 12:05 p.m. ET.

Four Gamecocks qualified for the final in the men’s 60m Invite. Darrell Singleton Jr. led the way, running 6.73 to come in as the second-fastest qualifier. That time matches a personal record for the junior and is just .01 outside of Carolina’s all-time top-10. Evan Miller (6.75), Yann Randrianasolo (6.82) and Ronald Fuller (6.83) will also run for the 60m title Saturday at 12 p.m.

The last Gamecocks on the track Friday night were hurdlers Milan Parks and Caitlyn Little. Both student-athletes advanced to the final of the women’s 60mH Invite, with Parks qualifying second at 8.36 and Little third at 8:43. They’ll go for the victory Saturday at 12:25 p.m. ET.

NOTABLE

• The first-ever collegiate event at the Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex was won by East Tennessee State’s Lanaya Martin, who won the women’s open 60m with a mark of 7.83.
• Carolina’s first heat victory at the new track came from Carlos Wilson, who was victorious in the first heat of the men’s Open 60m.
• Several Gamecock legends were in attendance Friday to celebrate the new facility, and one even competed. 1999 SEC weight throw champion Bert Sorin competed in the Open Weight Throw and was victorious, with a winning mark of 17.15m (56-3).

FROM THE COACH