Gamecocks Shine on Final Day of Gamecock Opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina track and field team picked up two more victories on Saturday for a total of six wins during the 2020 Gamecock Opener at the Carolina Indoor Track and Field Complex.

“Today was another outstanding team effort,” South Carolina head coach Curtis Frye said. “Our relays were outstanding today. For our women’s 4x400m relay to go out there, without an All-American like Aliyah Abrams, and put up a 3:37 is a great sign for things to come this season.”
 
Malik Paul (Weight Throw) and the Gamecocks Distance Medley Relay team consisting of Maryah Nasir, Macie Kavanaugh, Isabella Pisani and Anna Kathryn Stoddard claimed the victories for the Gamecocks on Saturday.  

For Paul, the win is his second in as many attempts this season. He tossed a pair of personal record marks during the event. His 19.27m (63-2 ¾) was eventually enough to claim the win and good enough to sit in the top 40 in the country as of Jan. 18.
 
For the Distance Medley Relay, it was their first chance at putting up a mark this season. The team of Nasir, Kananaugh, Pisani and Stoddard nearly reached a top-10 program mark and their time of 11:49.88 now sits as the No. 3 time in the country.
 
To check the winners of the first day of the Gamecock Opener, click here.
 
The Gamecocks once again shined in the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay. Despite taking second in both races, both of the Gamecocks final times now sit at the top five in the country.
 
The women’s squad consisting of Stephanie Davis, Pearl Nagbe, De’Andreah Young and Angel Frank posted a season-best time of 3:37.92 to sit in a tie for the fourth best in the nation. On the men’s side, the team comprised of Arinze Chance, E.J. Richardson, Rivaldo Leacock and Noah Walker posted a 3:09.27 to sit at No. 4 in the country.

“I’m really happy with our women’s 4x400m relay today,” Frye said. “Stephanie [Davis] came back and ran a 52 split, a good time and it helped prove something to herself. She won the break and kept it going and landed at that 52. The rest of that squad ran brave and this crowd was electric and our team was outstanding during that performance today.”

Of the non-winners, Evan Miller’s performance arguably stood out the most. Improving on a personal best in the 200m, putting his time at 21.08 to improve his time to the fourth-fastest time in the country. Amanda Murphy finished in second in the women’s weight throw, setting a new personal record of 17.97m (58-11 ½) to reach the top 75 in the country.  
 
Other outstanding top-eight performances throughout Saturday includes Cheyenne Young (5000m), Carisma Holland (Shot Put) and Blake Newcomb (800m).
 
South Carolina will head back on the road for the Dr. Sander Columbia Challenge in New York at the Armory. The prestigious meet will take place over a two-day period from Jan. 24-25 with Jan. 25 able to be viewed on NBC Sports Gold. For more information on the Gamecocks, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com.

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