April 5, 2013

Running Results | Field Results

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – South Carolina track and field completed their first day of competition at the 69th Annual Pepsi Florida Relays at Percy Beard Track on Friday. Facing stiff competition, the Gamecocks collected five top-10 finishes.

In her 400-meter outdoor debut, sophomore Erika Rucker turned in a solid performance. Rucker ran a 52.76 to finish fourth overall. The Gamecock ran the second-best collegiate time in the event. Entering the weekend, only one faster collegiate time had been registered this outdoor season.

In the 100-meter hurdles, senior Kierre Beckles was the top collegiate finisher. Beckles finished sixth overall with her time of 13.13. Beckles entered the weekend with the third fastest time in the East with her season-best time of 13.09.

Junior Petra Olsen finished second overall in the women’s pole vault. Her mark of 13-05.25 (4.10m) was the top collegiate clearance of the day.

Senior long jumper Jarrod Hutchen and redshirt sophomore javelin thrower Joshua Suttmeier registered the two top-10 finishes for the men’s team.

Hutchen recorded a leap of 24-02.25 (7.37) in the invitational section of the long jump. The mark landed him fifth place. Hutchen holds the fourth best leap in the East entering the weekend at 25-05.25 (7.75m).

Suttmeier made his season debut on Friday. The javelin specialist kicked off his year with a throw of 203-00 (61.87m) for seventh place.

Tomorrow’s slate features relay action and the remaining field events. Competition is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.