April 8, 2016

ATHENS, GA. – South Carolina track and field opened competition at the Spec Towns Invitational Friday afternoon. The Gamecocks competed in nine total events on a cool and blustery day, but found success in both field and running events despite the strong winds.

The long jump opened the day, and Natasha Dicks posted the team’s top finish after taking third with a new personal best. She cracked the six-meter barrier for the first time, reaching 6.06 (19-10 ¾) on her first attempt of the afternoon to move into a tie for tenth in school history. Chalese Davis (5.96m) and Makyla Stanley (5.80m) enjoyed season-best marks to finish fifth and seventh, respectively.

In the men’s long jump, Michael Wamer and Isaiah Moore reached new season bests as well. Wamer went 7.31 meters (23-11 ¾) to match his outdoor PR and finished fifth overall. Moore hit 7.16 meters (23-6) on his third attempt and finished sixth.

Simon Gyllensten would fight the strong winds to reach a top-10 program record height in the pole vault Friday. He passed 5.11 meters (16-9 ¼) on his third and final attempt to move into third place in the final standings. It also bumped him up to tenth in school history for the event, the first Gamecock to enter the list since 2012.

There would be just two races on the meet’s first day for South Carolina, coming in the hurdles and the 3000m. In the women’s 100m hurdles, three finished with season-best times, led by Chalese Davis’ 13.56 (1.4) that put her fifth overall. Funlayo Oluwole (13.91) and Milan Parks (13.95) also had season bests, but came with an illegal wind.

In the men’s hurdles, Isaiah Moore won his race in convincing fashion, crossing in 13.85 (1.9). Dondre Echols made his 2016 outdoor debut in the 110 and finished third, and Greg Chiles ran his first collegiate 110 and finished fourth in 14.97.

Closing the first night were the men’s and women’s 3000m. The women put five in the field and came away with three new personal-best times. Christine Kent led the pack with a fourth-place time of 9:55.92, the eighth fastest time in school history and more than a six-second shave off her previous best time. Mary Reiser came in right behind her at 9:56.49 to place fifth, and her time keeps her locked in as the ninth-fastest in school history. Kaylee Wessel took almost 30 seconds off her previous best time and came in ninth (10:15.22).

UP NEXT

The meet schedule will expand Saturday in the finale, starting at 11 a.m. with the javelin and on the track at 2 p.m. with the 4x100m relays.