Essayi Secures First Team All-American Honors in NCAA Championship Finale

AUSTIN, Texas (June 9, 2023) – South Carolina put a bow on the 2022-23 season on Friday evening at the 2023 NCAA Championship at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. Anass Essayi was the lone competitor for the Gamecocks on Friday, taking home fourth place in the 1500 meters.

“It has been a long season and I am happy with the way we fought to get here,” commented Head Coach Curtis Frye. “Anass ran a good race today and I know he would have liked to walk away as an NCAA champion. He was able to earn his first outdoor All-American honor and that is not something to hang your head about. He worked hard all season long and trained very hard to get to where he is. If anything, Anass will compete this summer and I know he will come back hungry for more next season.”

The Morocco native secured five points for the Gamecocks when he placed fourth overall in the 1500m. Essayi opened the race with a 46.77 second split in the first 300 meters, before turning in a time of 1:03.02 in the next 400 meters. Essayi improved each lap, running his final 400 meters in just 52.42 seconds. However, he was unable to contend from the outside as Washington’s Nathan Green held off the field for the victory. With the fourth-place finish, Essayi earns First Team All-American honors for the first time during his outdoor career.

Men’s Team Standings
1. Florida – 57
2. Arkansas – 53
3. Stanford – 44
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T44. South Carolina – 5

Men’s Individual Results
1,500 Meters (Finals)
4. Anass Essayi – 3:43.31