Two Gamecocks Earn Wins to Open Black & Gold Challenge
March 16, 2018
Outdoor Meet #1 ââ’¬” Black & Gold Challenge
ORLANDO, Fla. — The University of South Carolina track & field team opened its 2018 outdoor season Friday at the Black & Gold Challenge, hosted by UCF. A select group of field athletes were in action, with Shelby Freedman and Hailey Sweatman earning event victories.
The majority of Gamecocks, including each of the track athletes in action this weekend, will compete Saturday in Orlando.
Carolina’s first win of the day came from Freedman, who beat the field by more than 17 feet in the javelin. The Danville, Pa., native threw 153-2 in her first collegiate competition since 2016. Amy Suttmeier finished third with a mark of 135-9.
Sweatman earned the win in her first pole vault effort of the outdoor season, and she did it with an outdoor PR. The sophomore’s mark of 12-11 ½ ranks seventh in Carolina history.
One week after making his NCAA Championships debut in the long jump, Yann Randrianasolo competed in the triple jump for the first time as a collegian. Randrianasolo placed second with a mark of 49-2 ½, which falls just outside the program’s top-10.
Carolina’s last top-five effort of the day came from Armand Woodley, who placed fifth in the pole vault. He was able to clear 16-10 ¾, just shy of a PR.
FROM THE COACH
“Our kids are tired from a good training trip, but it’s been a productive week and our student-athletes have gotten better these last several days. The folks who competed today did quite well. I was especially happy to see Shelby win her event after missing last season, and her performance was one of several that our team can build off of this outdoor season. Most of our team competes tomorrow, and I’m excited to see our athletes in action.” – Head Coach Curtis Frye
UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS
The Gamecocks finish their journey to Florida Saturday with the second day of action from the Black & Gold Challenge. The first event is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET.
| FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018 – BLACK & GOLD CHALLENGE – MEN’S RESULTS | ||
| Pole Vault | ||
| 5. Armand Woodley | 5.15m | 16-10 3/4 | |
| 22. Benjamin Womble | 3.80m | 12-5 1/2 | |
| –. Bryce Simpson | NH | |
| Triple Jump | ||
| 2. Yann Randrianasolo | 15.00m | 49-2 1/2 | |
| FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018 – BLACK & GOLD CHALLENGE – WOMEN’S RESULTS | ||
| Javelin | ||
| 1. Shelby Freedman | 46.70m | 153-2 | |
| 3. Amy Suttmeier | 41.30m | 135-6 | |
| Pole Vault | ||
| 1. Hailey Sweatman | 3.95m | 12-11 1/2 | |
| 8. Adele Blalock | 3.65m | 11-11 3/4 | |
| –. Sam Silber | NH | |
| Hammer Throw | ||
| 8. Amanda Murphy | 49.98m | 164-0 | |
| 12. KD Young | 47.07m | 154-5 | |
| 17. Nina Gambacorta | 44.25m | 145-2 | |
