Gamecocks Complete First Day of Tiger Track Classic

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina track and field team began its outdoor season at the Tiger Track Classic on Friday in Auburn, Ala. The Gamecocks had eight student-athletes competing at the meet with the majority of them in field events. 

Synclair Savage arguably had one of the best performances of the day in the women’s long jump. Savage came in with her best jump indoors of 5.77m coming back at the Gamecock Opener but crushed that with a 5.91m (19-4 3/4) to finish in fourth at the meet that included a number of Power 5 programs. In her series Savage eclipsed her previous collegiate best mark twice and nearly did a third time. 

In the men’s long jump it was Tyler Jones and Desmond Gaillard who competed for the Gamecocks. Jones returning mark of 6.73m (22-1), that helped him finish third, was the first time the senior posted a qualified mark since 2019 when he competed for the Gamecocks at the SEC Outdoor Championships. For Gaillard, his mark of 6.71m (22-0 1/4) was good enough for fourth overall at the meet and improved on his PR from the indoor season. 

On the track it was Anna Kathryn Stoddard and Sarah-Sims McGrath competing for Carolina, Stoddard in the 1500m and McGrath in the 5000m. Both Stoddard and McGrath returned for only the outdoor season after exhausting their indoor eligibility. Stoddard finished ninth in the 1500m, nearly matching her previous 1500m PR with a 4:32.83 while McGrath’s 18:28.54 helped her also finish ninth at the meet. 

Back in the field it was Malik Paul who tossed a PR of 58.20m (190-11) in the hammer, earning him an eighth-place finish for the Gamecocks. In the men’s javelin Benjamin Womble and Elisha Brooks both launched personal records. Womble’s mark of 49.47m helped him finish 12th while Brooks’ toss of 44.38m was 16th overall at the meet. 

South Carolina returns to action tomorrow at the Tiger Track Classic with men’s high jump starting the day off at 12:30 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the meet on Delta Timing.

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