Distance Squad Runs Wild at Wake Forest Invitational

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (April 19, 2024) – South Carolina Track & Field’s distance squad competed at the Wake Forest Invitational on Friday afternoon, setting three new program records in the process.

The women took part in four events and came away with two new Gamecock outdoor records. Newcomer, Teresa Cherotich, ran her first steeplechase event of the season and made it count with a program record time of 10:01.61 to finish fourth overall in the event. Cherotich’s time broke a 12-year old record by 12 seconds, previously held by Beatrice Biwott. In addition, her time now ranks third in the East Region and 11th overall in the NCAA.

Fellow Kenya native Judy Kosgei was responsible for the second record broken for Carolina, doing so in the 1500m. The standout freshman runner stopped the clock at 4:07.65 to break former teammate Silan Ayyildiz’s record 4:12.11 set last season. Kosgei now ranks second in the East Region and second overall in the NCAA after finishing sixth in the event.

Sylvia Chelangat returned to her form in the 800m event, running a season best time of 2:02.73 to finish fifth overall and record the seventh best time in the East.

Bradley Makuvire was responsible for the program record on the men’s side, doing so in his Gamecock 5K debut. The Zimbabwe native stopped the clock at 13:52.88, surpassing fellow teammate Rogerio Amaral’s record of 13:52.94.

Anass Essayi and Joshua Kosgei also shined in their respective events for Carolina. Essayi made his 1500m season debut tonight and ran 3:38.25 to finish runner-up, while coming in as the fastest collegian in the event. Essayi’s time is good enough for eighth in the East Region. Kosgei finished third overall in the 800m, improving on his season with a new personal best time of 1:48.90. Kosgei’s time remains ninth in the Gamecock leaderboard and now improves to 41st in the region.

The rest of the Gamecocks will be competing tomorrow at the USC Outdoor Open in what will serve as Senior Day and the final regular season home meet for the Gamecocks.

Men’s Individual Results
800 Meters
3. Joshua Kosgei – 1:48.90*
8. Aidan Hatton – 1:49.60

1500 Meters (Invite)
2. Anass Essayi – 3:38.25
33. Jaouad Khchina – 3:43.32

5000 Meters (Invite)
18. Bradley Makuvire – 13:52.88*
33. Rogerio Amaral – 14:05.95

Women’s Individual Results
800 Meters (Invite)
5. Sylvia Chelangat – 2:02.73

1500 Meters (Invite)
6. Judy Kosgei – 4:07.65*

1500 Meters (Open)
34. Ally Wilson – 4:39.96

3K Steeplechase
4. Teresa Cherotich – 10:01.61*

* – denotes outdoor PR