Track and Field . January 19, 2024

Gamecocks Conclude Opening Day of Carolina Challenge

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 19, 2024) – The opening day of the Carolina Challenge concluded on Friday afternoon with another facility record falling for Gamecock Track & Field.

This time it was Aidan Hatton who highlighted the day for the Garnet & Black after running a program record time of 2:24.79 in the men’s 1,000-meter race. Hatton’s time broke a previous program record of 2:25.00 set in 1969 by Bob Kaczka. In addition, Hatton also set a new Carolina Indoor Track & Field Facility record, besting teammate George Luke’s mark of 2:27.72 set last week in the Gamecock Opener.

Prescott Jefferson advanced to the finals of the men’s 60m for the next best finish for the Gamecock men’s squad. Jefferson clocked 6.98 in the preliminary round to advance to the semifinals where he then won his heat with a personal best time of 6.85 to finish third heading into the finals. The local product matched his personal best with yet another 6.85 in the finals, collecting fourth overall.

The Gamecock women competed in just five different events today, led by freshmen Hailey Duncan and Aubrey Pierontoni with the best individual finishes on the day. Duncan placed third overall in the women’s 200m with a time of 25.02, while Pierontoni captured third in the women’s 1,000-meter race after running a personal best 3:06.95.

Staci Sumpter advanced to the finals in the women’s 60m sprint after finishing sixth in both the prelims and the semifinals to secure her spot in the finals. Sumpter won her heat in the prelims after running 7.68 before running 7.63 in the semis. The veteran sprinter then clocked 7.66 in the finals to conclude the event in sixth.

South Carolina will conclude the Carolina Challenge tomorrow with events beginning at 11 a.m. at the Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex. In addition, several members of the team will be competing in the TRACK @ New Balance Collegiate Showdown in Boston, Mass. tomorrow as well.

Men’s Individual Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
10. Prescott Jefferson – 6.98

60 Meters (Semis)
3. Prescott Jefferson – 6.85Q*

60 Meters (Finals)
4. Prescott Jefferson – 6.85*

1000 Meters
1. Aidan Hatton – 2:24.79*

4×400-Meter Relay
— Jefferson, Hatton, Mathis, Willcox – DNF

Triple Jump
9. Spencer Eison – 13.47m/44-2.5

Women’s Individual Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
6. Staci Sumpter – 7.68Q
30. Hailey Duncan – 8.05

60 Meters (Semis)
6. Staci Sumpter – 7.63q

60 Meters (Finals)
6. Staci Sumpter – 7.66

200 Meters
3. Hailey Duncan – 25.02
26. Camille Ellison – 27.42*

1,000 Meters
3. Aubrey Pierontoni – 3:06.95*
4. Sarah Neville – 3:07.94*
5. Brooke Donoghue – 3:09.11*
7. Kathleen Abrams – 3:10.14*

Pole Vault (Open)
6. Mia Joseph – 3.47m/11-4.5
13. Julia McBride – 3.07m/10-0.75