COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina hosts its first outdoor track & field meet of the season this Saturday, as over 40 teams come to Sheila & Morris Cregger Track for the Gamecock Invitational. The meet begins at 9 a.m. ET, and the Gamecocks will retire the jerseys of Carolina legends Miki Barber and Terrence Trammell in a special ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

The Gamecocks once again welcome a large and diverse field to Cregger Track, with over 1,000 athletes from the NCAA Division I, II, and III ranks as well as the NAIA and the NJCAA. Division I teams in the field include Alabama State, Boston U., Brown, Campbell, The Citadel, Clemson, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Liberty, Ohio State, Presbyterian, Radford, Savannah State, South Carolina State, UNC Asheville, VMI and Wofford.

GAMECOCKS HONOR BARBER, TRAMMELL WITH JERSEY RETIREMENTS

South Carolina will retire the jerseys of alumni Terrence Trammell and Miki Barber during Saturday’s Gamecock Invitational. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. ET, and afterwards Barber and Trammell will serve as honorary starters for the 4x100m relays.

Barber was a 20-time All-American, five-time NCAA champion and an eight-time SEC champion during her time at South Carolina. She was a 2000 Olympian and a gold medalist in the 100 meters at the 2007 Pan American Games and as part of the 4x100m relay in the 2007 World Championships. She is part of the Carolina school record setting indoor 4x400m relay and the 4x200m relay. She has competed in 19 USATF Championships and was inducted into the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame in 2015.

Trammell was a 13-time All-American, six-time NCAA champion and an eight-time SEC champion during his Gamecock career. He was a silver medalist in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2000 and the 2004 Olympics and a seven-time World Championships medalist, including two gold medals. He was voted the 1999 SEC Athlete of the Year and won the 1999 Cliff Harper Trophy as the SEC Championships leader in points scored. He was inducted into the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame in 2006.

FAN INFORMATION

Admission to the Gamecock Invitational is free. Free parking is available at the Heyward Street Garage, located at 1300 Heyward Street. Additional parking is available on the street-level spaces on Heyward, Marion, Whaley and Bull Streets, and overflow parking is located at Lot AD9, on the corner of Whaley and Pickens Streets.

In the event of inclement weather, fans are encouraged to follow updates on Twitter through the team’s official account, @GamecockTrack.

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LAST SEASON AT THE GAMECOCK INVITATIONAL

South Carolina won three events last season at the Gamecock Invitational, including victories from current student-athletes Aliyah Abrams (400m) and KD Young (shot put). Abrams ran 53.79 to earn the quarter-mile victory, and Young threw 15.96m (52-4 ½) to win in the circle. Overall, Carolina finished with 11 podium finishes last season.

LAST TIME OUT • APRIL 5-6 • GAMECOCKS WIN NINE EVENTS AT SPEC TOWNS INVITATIONAL

South Carolina won nine events April 5-6 in its annual trip to the Spec Towns Invitational in Athens, Ga. Two Gamecocks were victorious on the opening day, as Quincy Hall won the 400m hurdles and Yann Randrianasolo was the Lewis Gainey Long Jump winner for the second season in a row. Hall’s 400mH time of 50.34, his first as a Gamecock, ranks sixth nationally and ninth in program history. The Gamecocks also got a pair of new program top-10 times in the 1500m, from Anna Kathryn Stoddard (4:31.59) and Maryah Nasir (4:32.46).

Saturday’s seven winners included Aliyah Abrams (women’s 400m), Otis Jones (men’s 800m), Isaiah Moore (men’s 110mH), Darrell Singleton Jr. (Men’s 100m), Makyla Stanley (women’s 100m), the women’s 4x100m relay and the men’s 4x400m relay. Singleton’s performance was perhaps the best of the day; his 100m time of 10.23 obliterated his previous PR and ranks ninth in Carolina history not to mention 11th in the NCAA this season. Moore moved up to fifth in the nation in the 110mH with a time of 13.58, and Eric Favors improved to 29th in the NCAA with his shot put mark of 18.49m.

GAMECOCKS CLOSING IN ON POSTSEASON BIDS WITH FOUR MEETS LEFT

Four meets into the outdoor season, the race is on as South Carolina looks to position itself for the postseason. Each member of the Gamecock roster is aiming to finish the season in the NCAA East Region top 48 of their event, which guarantees a spot at the NCAA East Regional Preliminary Round, May 23-25 in Jacksonville, Fla. Here’s a look at the Gamecocks currently in Regional position.
• MEN
• 1. Quincy Hall – 400mH – 50.34
• 3. Darrell Singleton Jr. – 100m – 10.23
• 3. Chance, Hall, O. Jones, Robbins – 4x400m Relay – 3:04.08
• 4. Isaiah Moore – 110mH – 13.58
• 6. Noah Walker – 400mH – 51.36
• 8. Yann Randrianasolo – Triple Jump – 15.61m
• 9. Armand Woodley – Pole Vault – 5.22m
• 10. Eric Favors – Shot Put – 18.49m
• 12. Yann Randrianasolo – Long Jump – 7.66m
• 15. Rivaldo Leacock – 400mH – 51.86
• 16. Otis Jones – 800m – 1:49.63
• 23. Darrell Singleton Jr. – 200m – 20.95
• 26. Arinze Chance – 400m – 46.70
• 33. Ben Bonhurst – Shot Put – 17.59m
• 33. Malik Paul – Discus – 52.31m
• 33. Chance, Singleton, Miller, Valentine – 4x100m Relay – 40.44
• WOMEN
• 1. Davis, Abrams, Mills, Jonathas – 4x400m Relay – 3:27.53*
• 4. Wadeline Jonathas – 400m – 52.18
• 5. Stephanie Davis – 400m – 52.24
• 5. Wadeline Jonathas – 200m – 23.20
• 6. Aliyah Abrams – 400m – 52.28
• 7. Aliyah Abrams – 200m – 23.33
• 7. Davis, Stanley, Pennamon, Jonathas – 4x100m Relay – 43.86
• 10. Stephanie Davis – 200m – 23.42
• 19. Makyla Stanley – 100m – 11.52
• 23. Jordan Fields – High Jump – 1.75m
• 24. Milan Parks – 100mH – 13.60
• 28. Makyla Stanley – Long Jump – 5.99m
• 31. Hailey Sweatman – Pole Vault – 3.95m
• 33. Amecia Pennamon – 100m – 11.64
• 37. Carisma Holland – Shot Put – 15.19m
• 37. Lissa Labiche – High Jump – 1.73m
• 45. Amecia Pennamon – 200m – 23.87
* – #1-ranked time in the NCAA this season

SOUTH CAROLINA MEN HOLD TOP-20 RANKING

The South Carolina men held at No. 20 in this week’s USTFCCCA national ranking, while the Gamecock women are listed 26th this week, down one spot.

In the USTFCCCA’s Southeast Regional rankings, the Gamecock men are ranked second, and the women are fourth.

On the men’s squad, four Gamecocks are ranked in the USTFCCCA’s top 10: Quincy Hall (2nd; 400m), the 4x400m relay (5th), Isaiah Moore (7th; 110mH) and Yann Randrianasolo (10th; Long Jump).

The Carolina women’s 4x400m relay squad is ranked tops in the nation according to the USTFCCCA with their time of 3:27.53. The 4x100m relay squad is ranked 10th with their time of 43.86.

The USTFCCCA also released their first set of 2019 outdoor #EventSquad rankings on April 8. Carolina’s top men’s squad is the 100m, which is ranked 12th, while the 400m sprinters are ranked 14th. The Gamecocks are ranked second in the #EventSquad rankings in the 400m and fourth in the 200m.

The USTFCCCA national rankings continue to use a mix of this season’s new personal bests, along with personal records obtained in previous collegiate seasons.

THREE GAMECOCKS LISTED IN FLOTRACK PRESEASON RANKINGS

Three Gamecocks are ranked in the outdoor preseason top-15 in their primary events by FloTrack. On the men’s side, former Pan American and U.S. Junior champion Quincy Hall is ranked fifth in the 400m hurdles, and two-time All-American Yann Randrianasolo holds the No. 10 spot in the long jump.

On the women’s side, the Gamecocks are represented in the FloTrack rankings by Aliyah Abrams. The national runner-up in the indoor 400m is listed ninth in the preseason outdoor rankings, according to the publication.

MARCH 28-30 • WOMEN’S 4×4 STEALS THE SHOW AT FLORIDA RELAYS

South Carolina made its annual trip to the Florida Relays and left Gainesville with several strong results. Chief among the efforts was Carolina’s run in the women’s 4x400m relay. Stephanie Davis, Aliyah Abrams, Tatyana Mills and Wadeline Jonathas were together for the first time since their national title-winning run at the NCAA Indoor Championships, and the quartet somehow managed to outdo themselves again. Jonathas ran a furious closing stretch to overtake Florida and Alabama on the final straightaway, and the team’s time of 3:27.53 leads the NCAA and ranks second in the world as of April 10.

The Gamecock distance crew was spectacular, accounting for five new marks on the program’s all-time top-10. Anna Kathryn Stoddard (16:52.76) and Heather Stone (16:57.46) moved to fourth and sixth, respectively, on the program’s 5000m list, while Kelsey Larkin (11:15.98) ran the third-fastest 3000m steeplechase in school history. Allie Mueller (4:30.27) moved up to sixth in school history in the 1500m, Last but not least, the 4x800m relay team of Mueller, Maryah Nasir, Macie Kavanaugh and Sierra Biber ran 9:02.50, the seventh-best mark in program history.

Three other Gamecock relays and one more individual notched new program top-10 efforts in Gainesville. The 4x200m relay group of Arinze Chance, Darrell Singleton Jr., Evan Miller and Quincy Hall stopped the clock in 1:21.87, second in school history. Chance and Hall joined Otis Jones and Ty Jaye Robbins to run 3:04.08 in the 4x400m relay, eighth on the Carolina list and fifth in the NCAA this season. The women’s sprint medley relay of Milan Parks, Mathilde Coquillaud-Salomon, Jhari Williams and Sierra Biber posted a time of 4:05.08, fifth on Carolina’s records list.

Last but not least, Amanda Murphy moved to No. 4 in Carolina hammer throw history with an effort of 54.78m (179-9). Overall, the Gamecocks wrapped up the meet with 24 top-10 finishes in Gainesville, including 11 on Saturday with just 16 entries.

MARCH 22-23 • GAMECOCKS DOMINATE BUCCANEER INVITATIONAL, WINNING 18 EVENTS

The Gamecocks were in complete control of the Buccaneer Invitational, held March 22-23 in Charleston, S.C. South Carolina won 18 event titles at the meet, by far the most at the seven-team event.

Jordan Fields (women’s high jump), Carisma Holland (women’s discus and shot put), Wadeline Jonathas (women’s 200m), Kelsey Larkin (women’s 1500m), Rivaldo Leacock (men’s 400m hurdles), Morgan Lee (women’s 5000m), Milan Parks (women’s 100m hurdles), Malik Paul (men’s discus), Ty Jaye Robbins (men’s 400m), Bryce Simpson (men’s pole vault), Makyla Stanley (women’s long jump and 100m), Hailey Sweatman (women’s pole vault) and Noah Walker (men’s 110m hurdles) won individual titles on the final day of the meet. Carolina also won the men’s 4x100m relay and both 4x400m relays.

Carolina’s NCAA-winning 4x400m quartet raced the 200m, and the Gamecocks dominated the race from start-to-finish. Jonathas won with a time of 23.20, the eighth-best mark in Carolina history, and Aliyah Abrams was second at 23.33, the 10th-best time on the Gamecock records list.

Fields set a new outdoor personal best on Saturday, clearing 1.75m (5-8 ¾) to move up to sixth on the Carolina records chart. Freshman Dymier Jeffery came in second; her effort of 1.70m (5-7) is 10th-best in Carolina history.

MARCH 15-16 • GAMECOCKS WIN MEET-HIGH 11 EVENTS AT BLACK AND GOLD CHALLENGE

South Carolina opened its outdoor campaign March 15-16 at the Black and Gold Challenge in Orlando, Fla. Despite fielding a limited group of entries, the Gamecocks led the meet with 11 event victories.

The Gamecocks notched three program top-10 marks in Orlando as part of their 11 victories. Anna Kathryn Stoddard won the women’s 1500m with a time of 4:34.23, which at the time was the ninth-best mark in Carolina history, and long jump All-American Yann Randrianasolo competed in the men’s triple jump, where his mark of 15.61m ranks seventh on the records list. The women’s 4x800m crew of Allie Mueller, Maryah Nasir, Sierra Biber and Macie Kavanaugh laid down the ninth-best time in Carolina history, 9:04.39.

Additional victories in Orlando came from Otis Jones (men’s 800m), Lissa Labiche (women’s high jump), Isaiah Moore (men’s 100mH), Darrell Singleton Jr. (men’s 100m), Jeremiah Talbert (men’s 400m), Noah Walker (men’s 400mH), Armand Woodley (men’s pole vault) and the men’s 4x400m relay. Talbert’s win came in his first outdoor event as a collegian, and he was part of the winning 4×4 crew along with Walker.

MARCH 8-9 • 4X400M CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS NCAA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Gamecocks enter the outdoor season on the heels of the program’s best NCAA Indoor Championships in over a decade. The Carolina women finished tied for seventh, their first NCAA top-10 finish since 2007, while the Gamecock men tied for 20th, their best result at the national indoor meet since 2010.

The highlight of the meet was Carolina’s national championship in the women’s 4x400m relay. Stephanie Davis, Aliyah Abrams, Tatyana Mills and Wadeline Jonathas ran 3:30.76 to edge Texas A&M (3:30.85) and Arkansas (3:30.86) for the crown. It’s the 47th NCAA event championship in Gamecock history and the first since 2015. It’s also the program’s seventh women’s 4x400m relay NCAA title and the first since 2007.

The women’s mile relay was one of five first-team All-America finishes for the Gamecocks. Abrams placed second in the women’s 400m, and Quincy Hall took fourth in the men’s 400m then led the men’s mile relay to a fifth-place result. Isaiah Moore added an eighth-place finish in the men’s 60m hurdles.

Jonathas (women’s 400m) and Arinze Chance (men’s 400m) earned second-team All-America laurels while Yann Randrianasolo (men’s long jump) was an honorable mention finisher.

GAMECOCKS TAKE HOME THREE INDOOR ALL-SEC HONORS

South Carolina earned three All-SEC nods at the 2019 SEC Indoor Championships, held Feb. 22-23 in Fayetteville, Ark. Junior Quincy Hall collected first-team All-SEC honors by winning the individual men’s 400m championship. Hall set a school record in the final, running 45.69 to earn Carolina’s first SEC title on the indoor track since Jason Richardson took the 60m hurdles in 2009.

The Carolina women’s 4x400m relay squad and senior hurdler Isaiah Moore earned second-team All-SEC honors. The 4×4 quartet of Stephanie Davis, Aliyah Abrams, Tatyana Mills and Wadeline Jonathas won silver with a time of 3:29.56, second-fastest in the nation this season. Moore tallied his second-career SEC medal by winning bronze in the 60m hurdles.

Overall, Carolina finished 10th in the men’s competition and 12th on the women’s side.

RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS LOOKING FOR MORE OUTDOOR SUCCESS

The Gamecocks feature seven student-athletes with past outdoor All-America finishes. On the women’s side, Aliyah Abrams, Stephanie Davis, Maiya Dendy, Milan Parks and Makyla Stanley already own All-America honors from past seasons, with Abrams taking first-team status as part of Carolina’s 2016 bronze-medal winning 4x400m relay.

On the men’s side, Isaiah Moore and Yann Randrianasolo each return with outdoor All-America results under their belts. Moore was a first-team finisher in 2017 after taking eighth in the 100m hurdles.

The 2019 outdoor NCAA postseason begins May 23-25, as the top-48 qualifiers in individual events and the top-24 qualifiers in each relay compete at the NCAA East Regional Preliminary Round in Jacksonville, Fla. The top-12 finishers at each Regional go on to the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 5-8 in Austin, Texas.

UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS

The Gamecocks are back home next weekend for the USC Outdoor Open. The one-day meet, the last home event of the season for Carolina, will be held Saturday, April 20.