Gamecock Track and Field Returns with Clemson Opener
Friday marks the first competition for the Gamecocks since the NCAA Championships in June
COLUMBIA—The South Carolina track and field teams open up their seasons on Friday at the Clemson Opener in Clemson, South Carolina. It’s the first action back since the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June and kicks off the Gamecocks’ 2022 slate.
The Basics
South Carolina’s track and field squads are back in action for the first time in almost six months. The Gamecocks send a limited group to the Clemson Indoor Facility to open the season.
Last time out, the Gamecocks saw Rachel Glenn secure the women’s high jump title and the women’s 4X400-meter relay team finish sixth at the NCAA Championships. Malik Paul also took fourth in the men’s discus in June.
All-in-all, the Gamecocks took home a combined 13 First Team All-America honors in 2021 when you add in South Carolina’s efforts at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March. The Gamecocks added five Second Team All-America honors and one Honor Mention All-America award in 2021.
The Gamecocks entries are almost exclusively on the track. Men’s and women’s pole vault are the only field events that see Gamecocks in the field.
Freshmen also highlight the Gamecock entries with 12 Gamecocks set to make their debut in the Garnet and Black.
Quotables – Head Coach Curtis Frye
On returning to the track after nearly six months away
“I’m excited. It’s always exciting to get the kids to go against different colors. They’ve basically just been practicing and not a real contest. The coaches are excited. That’s how I feel. It’s always exciting for a new season. That’s why we practice, to go and compete.”
On his thoughts on the freshmen getting their first opportunities in a South Carolina uniform
“Their faces when they get on the bus tomorrow is what you look forward to. I’m excited for them. We’ve got some high-level kids and this is their first time competing at the college level. There’s a lot of anticipation for them to compete in their first collegiate track meet. They’re leaving behind high school and they’re going to have some anxieties, but they’ll be OK.”
On how this meet is beneficial
“We’re in a phase of our training cycle and with this meet, we find out if it’s working. We have enough time (between meets) to evaluate if we’re going to get those high-level performances. A meet early in the year is an evaluation. We get six weeks between this meet and our next meet to evaluate. We’ve got enough time to make some adjustments in training. We’ve got six weeks to figure out if we have it and evaluate ourselves and implement something that could make a difference.”
Meet Schedule
The competition in Clemson is set for a 10 a.m. start on Friday with field events getting the day started. Track events are slated to begin at 11:40 a.m. with the women’s 600 meters. The final event of the day is the men’s 4X400-meter relay at 5:20 p.m.
Gamecock Entries
MEN: Rogerio Amaral, Hayden Cobbe, Filip Demsar, Dominic Dutton, Anthony Greenhow, Jr., Prescott Jefferson, Jackson Junkins, Gatlin Lawson, Carson Lenser, Dillon McCarthy, Evan Miller, Seth Rabinowitz, Doval Simmonds and William Spencer Jr.
WOMEN: Stephanie Davis, Elizabeth Davison, Angel Frank, Kieley Gayle, Kensi Gray, Jayla Jamison, Alysia Johnson, Mia Joseph, Macie Kavanaugh, Pearl Nagbe, Aaliyah Pyatt, Briana Reckling, Jahnile Registre, Destinee Rocker, Emily Smith, Emma Stone and Emily Valentine.
