Pair of Gamecock Runners Advance to NCAA Championship

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 27, 2023) – South Carolina Track & Field put a bow on the 2023 NCAA East Regional Saturday afternoon at the Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium. Silan Ayyildiz and Jayla Jamison secured their spots into the NCAA Championship in Austin, Texas in just 11 days.

“What can I say about Silan and Jayla today,” stated Head Coach Curtis Frye. “Today’s challenge to the team was just to enjoy the moment. Enjoy the sport you compete in and the stage you get to compete on. Silan and Jayla did just that. They had fun running their races and they are moving on because they believed in the process, and they enjoyed their moments. I am so proud of the ones who will be going to nationals and for those that didn’t make it, they know what they need to do this offseason to join their teammates next year at nationals. We are going to celebrate the ones who advanced and enjoy our time in Austin.”

Ayyildiz was the first to punch her ticket today in the 1500-meter race. Ayyildiz ran both a personal best and even more impressive, a school record. The Turkey native crossed the finish line at 4:12.11 to finish second in the opening heat and second overall in the quarterfinal round. Ayyildiz continued to get faster with each lap, closing the race with a 1:03.01 400-meter split to land a spot at the National Championship in her first season in a Gamecock uniform.

Jamison will join her in Texas, doing so in the women’s 200m. The Columbia, S.C. native finished third in the second heat and eighth overall to advance to the NCAA Championship for the first time as an individual. Jamison clocked 22.84 (2.8), improving on last season’s 200m regional where she finished one spot shy of qualifying for the NCAA Championship.

South Carolina will be back in action in Austin, Texas on June 7-10 at the NCAA Track & Field National Championship. The Gamecocks will have Anass Essayi and Filip Demsar representing the men, while Silan Ayyildiz and Jayla Jamison will represent the women.

Women’s Individual Results
200 Meters (Quartefinals)
8. Jayla Jamison – 22.84Q (2.8)

800 Meters (Quarterfinals)
25. Sylvia Chelangat – 2:11.83

1,500 Meters (Quarterfinals)
2. Silan Ayyildiz – 4:12.11Q*

4×100 Meter Relays (Quarterfinals)
— Jamison, Frank, Registre, Sumpter – DQ

4×400 Meter Relays (Quarterfinals)
16. Frank, Registre, Jamison, Kelety – 3:38.29

400-Meter Hurdles (Quarterfinals)
19. Elena Kelety – 58.98

* – denotes outdoor PR