Gamecocks Yield Strong Results in Opening Day of Razorback Invitational
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Jan. 26, 2024) – Gamecock Track & Field flexed its muscles in the opening day of the Razorback Invitational on Friday night in Fayetteville, Ark.
For the second consecutive meet, JaMeesia Ford posted a world leading time. This time, Ford accomplished the feat in her 200m debut when she ran 22.58. The heat prior to Ford, Arkansas’ Amber Anning clocked 22.60 to briefly take the world lead. The Fayetteville native rose to the challenge and bested Anning for the top time in the world and in the NCAA. In addition, Ford’s time ranks second in Gamecock history, only .01 seconds shy of tying Shalonda Solomon who ran 22.57 in 2006.
On the men’s side, Anthony Greenhow led the charge in the 200m with a season-best time of 20.60 to rank seventh in the NCAA standings, finishing third overall in the event. Greenhow was followed by teammate Nyck Harbor who made his collegiate 200m debut with a time of 20.97 to finish fifth with the ninth best indoor 200m time in Gamecock history.
Freshman high jumper Nate Figgers set a personal best when he cleared 2.12m (6-11.5) to finish fourth overall. Figgers’ height ranks eighth in Gamecock indoor history.
Up in the Northeast, Anass Essayi made his season debut while Jaouad Khchina made his collegiate debut for the Gamecocks at the John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston, Mass. Essayi competed in the 3,000-meter invite, running a program record time of 7:39.11 to finish third overall as the fastest collegian. Essayi bested the program record of 7:41.93 that he set last season. In addition, Essayi became just the eighth collegiate runner in USTFCCCA history to run a sub-7:40 time in the 3,000 meter. With his time of 7:39.11, Essayi ranks fourth in the NCAA heading into the weekend. Khchina ran the 3,000-meter open event, running 8:07.69 for the third fastest indoor 3K in Gamecock history.
South Carolina will conclude action at the Razorback Invitational tomorrow at the Randal Tyson Track Complex. The Gamecocks’ first event will be the men’s 60m qualifier at 11:30 a.m. (ET), with the day concluding with the women’s 4x400m relay (5:15 p.m. ET) and the men’s 4x400m relay (5:40 p.m. ET).
RAZORBACK INVITATIONAL
Men’s Individual Results
200 Meters
3. Anthony Greenhow – 20.60
5. Nyck Harbor – 20.97*
24. Prescott Jefferson – 21.68
31. Andrew Bond – 21.92
High Jump
4. Nate Figgers – 2.12m/6-11.5*
14. Channing Ferguson – 2.07m/6-9.5
Women’s Individual Results
200 Meters
1. JaMeesia Ford – 22.58*
12. Jayla Jamison – 23.40
16. Zaya Akins – 23.56*
23. Cynteria James – 23.85*
37. Anastasia Sumpter – 24.71
1 Mile
27. Emily Pierontoni – 5:02.12
30. Lily Weeks – 5:04.75
33. Claudia Satzke – 5:10.53
3,000 Meters
9. Anya Arroyo – 10:09.27*
10. Hope Dominique – 10:10.43
JOHN THOMAS TERRIER CLASSIC
Men’s Individual Results
3,000 Meters (Invite)
3. Anass Essayi – 7:39.11*
3,000 Meters (Open)
21. Jaouad Khchina – 8:07.69*
* – denotes indoor PR
