Gamecock Track and Field Open Outdoor Season
The Gamecocks saw three personal bests, including a top-10 toss in the women's hammer throw
AUBURN, Ala.— Three Gamecocks picked up personal bests on the opening day of competition at the Tiger Track Classic at Hutsell-Rosen Track.
“The weather was so cold, it felt like practicing outdoors,” said head coach Curtis Frye. “All the kids got through the weather and everyone who was supposed to line up, lined up. This time of year, you’ve got to get your reps in. It’s better than having a bad practice. It’s better in a contest when you get the chance to compete.”
Kira Jenkins set a new personal-best time in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:06.13. She led a pair of Gamecocks to top-10 finishes on Friday night. Katerina Hendrix took 10th place for Carolina.
KD Young and Kayla Racine both opened their seasons with six throws in the women’s hammer throw. Young took sixth with a mark of 54.39m/178-5 and Racine finished eighth with a toss of 53.14m/174-4. Racine’s mark was a new personal best in the hammer throw. Racine’s performance moves her into No. 8 in school history in the women’s hammer throw.
Alex Costantino made her collegiate outdoor debut, taking seventh in the 1,500 meters’ invitational section. She ran a time of 4:37.35.
On the men’s side, Desmond Gaillard jumped a new personal best in the long jump. He jumped 6.89m/22-7.25 for seventh place in the outdoor opening meet. The jump is a 15-centimeter personal best for Gaillard in the long jump. Elisha Brooks and Christian Lewis finished 11th and 20th in the long jump, respectively.
Sean Petersen ran his first collegiate 5,000-meter race. He took eighth with a time of 15:28.60.
The Gamecocks return to action beginning at Noon on Saturday for the second day of action at the Tiger Track Classic.
Men’s Individual Results
1,500 Meters Invitational
9. Alexander Galbraith – 4:01.93
5,000 Meters
8. Sean Petersen – 15:28.60
Long Jump
7. Desmond Gaillard – 6.89m/22-7.25
11. Elisha Brooks – 6.50m/21-4
20. Christian Lewis – 6.05m/19-10.25
Javelin
10. Elisha Brooks – 41.90m/137-5
Women’s Individual Results
1,500 Meters Invitational
7. Alex Costantino – 4:37.35
5,000 Meters
4. Kira Jenkins – 18:06.13
10. Katerina Hendrix – 19:07.74
Hammer Throw
6. KD Young – 54.39m/178-5
8. Kayla Racine – 53.14m/174-4
