Jan. 22, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – The Gamecocks started their weekend strong Friday, opening competition at the Conference Clash. Drew Trusty’s win in the 5,000 would highlight the day, and the team also sent five more on to Saturday finals.

The 5K would be the only individual track final for day one, and Carolina brought it home for the SEC. Drew Trusty finished with a time of 15:06.21, 15 second ahead of the second-place competitor. The time ranks seventh-best overall for the indoor season, and is the best 5K time for a Gamecock since Steve Mance in 2005.

Michael Wamer was the other Gamecock to score on Friday. He finished third overall in the triple jump, setting a new personal best with a top mark of 50 feet, 9 ¼ inches. The leap added three inches to his previous high, and now ranks fourth in program history.

The two combined for seven points for the SEC, which holds a 52-49 lead over the Power Four team after day one.

Carolina will have plenty more chances to score on Saturday, and set itself up with a solid preliminary round Friday night. The men will send David Winters to the 60m final; Isaiah Moore, Jermaine Collier and Dondre Echols in the 60m hurdles; and Briana Haith in the 200m.

The final day of the Conference Clash begins tomorrow at noon, with finals in the men’s pole vault and long jump and the women’s shot put and long jump.