Pair of Throwers Dominate Tom Jones Invitational

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (April 12, 2024) – South Carolina Track & Field opened the 2024 Tom Jones Invitational on Friday with a pair of wins and several key marks on the season.

The Gamecock men’s team competed in 10 events, highlighted by a pair of veteran throwers. Dylan Targgart eclipsed the 20.00m mark in the shot put for the first time in his career, doing so in the first throw of the event when he tossed 20.45m (67-1.25) for the win. Targgart’s throw ranks second in the NCAA and third in Gamecock history. He was followed by fellow teammate CJ Licata who launched a new personal best distance of 20.40m (66-11.25) on his final throw to finish runner up. Licata’s mark ranks third in the NCAA and fourth in Carolina history. Both throwers eclipsed the 20.25m mark necessary for US Olympic Trials in late June.

The men’s 1500m squad shined on the track for the Garnet & Black, led by Jaouad Khchina who ran a personal best time of 3:41.63 for the second fastest time in program history and 11th in the East Region. Khchina finished fourth overall and was followed by Rogerio Amaral who finished fifth with a new personal best time of 3:43.30, ranking fourth in program history and 27th in the East.

The final men’s podium finish on opening day of the two-day event came from Nate Figgers in the men’s high jump when he cleared 2.12m (6-11.5).

South Carolina’s women’s squad competed in five events on the day, with Teresa Cherotich picking up the lone win for the Gamecocks. The Kenya native clocked a new personal best in the outdoor 5K, running 17:00.08 to rank ninth in program history. Anya Arroyo finished runner-up behind Cherotich when she clocked a new personal best time of 17:28.26.

Fellow freshman JaMeesia Ford also finished runner-up in her respective event, clocking a wind-aided 22.41 (4.1) in the 200m sprint. In sticking with the track, Claudia Satzke recorded the fifth best 3K steeplechase in Gamecock history after running a personal best time of 11:25.48 to finish seventh overall.

The Gamecocks will close out the 2024 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational tomorrow as South Carolina begins competition at 10 a.m. with the women’s pole vault.

Men’s Individual Results
200 Meters (Invite)
18. Nyck Harbor – 20.68 (1.8)*
33. Anthony Greenhow – 21.08 (0.6)

200 Meters (Open)
27. Prescott Jefferson – 21.86 (-2.1)

1500 Meters
4. Jaouad Khchina – 3:41.63*
5. Rogerio Amaral – 3:43.30*
20. Bradley Makuvire – 3:50.82*

400-Meter Hurdles
17. Josue Richardson Salazar – 54.75

High Jump
3. Nate Figgers – 2.12m/6-11.5

Long Jump
11. Channing Ferguson – 7.16m/23-6 (1.7)

Pole Vault (Invite)
13. Dillon McCarthy – 5.00m/16-4.75

Pole Vault (Open)
9. Parker Samuelson – 4.83m/15-10

Shot Put (Invite)
1. Dylan Targgart – 20.45m/67-1.25*
2. CJ Licata – 20.40m/66-11.25*

Hammer Throw
12. Ridge Dowe – 52.42m/172-0

Women’s Individual Results
200 Meters (Invite)
2. JaMeesia Ford – 22.41w (4.1)
10. Aalliyah Francis – 22.82w (3.1)*
14. Cynteria James – 22.99w (3.1)*
17. Zaya Akins – 23.20w (3.5)
19. Jayla Jamison – 23.26w (4.1)

1500 Meters
40. Teresa Cherotich – 4:36.19*

5000 Meters
1. Teresa Cherotich – 17:00.08*
2. Anya Arroyo – 17:28.26*
8. Maria Lombardi – 18:34.92

3K Steeplechase
7. Claudia Satzke – 11:25.48*

Long Jump
8. Prommyse Hoosier – 6.06m/19-10.75 (1.7)

* – denotes outdoor PR