Track and Field . April 5, 2025

Gamecocks Record Pair of NCAA Leading Marks

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (April 5, 2025) – South Carolina Track & Field ended the Florida Relays on a high note on Saturday, earning a pair of NCAA leading marks as well as a trio of program Top 10 identifiers.

The women’s squad took part in six events on Saturday, coming away with a pair of wins as well as two more top five finishes. JaMeesia Ford made her outdoor season debut in the 400m and was quick to run an NCAA leading time as well as the third fastest time in program history, winning the event after crossing the line at 50.43 for her new collegiate personal best. Additionally, Ford’s 400m mark currently ranks fifth in the world standings and stands just .10 seconds off her career personal best of 50.33 set at the U.S. Olympic trials. Ford was also part of the 4×400 meter relay squad, joined by Zaya Akins, Cynteria James and Jayla Jamison who won the invite section with a time of 3:26.24. The quartet clocked the third fastest outdoor 4x400m relay in Gamecock history and currently rank first in the East Region.

The final two top five finishes belong to James in the 100m and Cameran Gist in the triple jump. James, the sophomore sprinter, crossed the line in 11.27 (1.0) to post fourth overall. Gist was able to secure a new personal best in the triple jump with a distance of 12.99m (42-7.5) to finish fifth overall with the fifth best mark in program history.

As for the men’s team, the Gamecocks took part in seven events led by veteran thrower, CJ Licata, who placed first in the shot put invite section with a distance of 20.17m (66-2.25). Licata, making his outdoor season debut, now ranks first in the NCAA leaderboard. Licata was followed by teammate Dylan Targgart who placed fourth with a throw of 19.27m (63-0.25). Nate Figgers tied his personal best in the outdoor high jump, clearing 2.16m (7-1) to place fifth overall to lead the jumpers.

The men’s team closed things out with a runner-up finish in the 4×400 meter relay as Josiah Wrice, Devan Crumpton, Josue Richardson Salazar and Jasauna Dennis turned in a time of 3:03.26. The quartet’s mark in the relay was good enough for sixth all time in program history and currently sits second in the East Region.

The Gamecocks will return to action one week from today, playing host to the Gamecock Invite on Saturday, April 12 at Sheila & Morris Cregger Track.

Men’s Individual Results
100 Meters
21. Antwan Hughes Jr. – 10.46 (0.8)*
26. Jasauna Dennis – 10.53 (0.5)

800 Meters
31. Aidan Hatton – 1:50.46
42. Logan Hill – 1:51.29*
43. Ricky Circelli – 1:51.53*

4×400 Meter Relay (Finals)
2. Wrice, Crumpton, Richardson Salazar, Dennis – 3:03.26

110-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
22. David Warmington – 14.41w (2.3)

High Jump (Invite)
5. Nate Figgers – 2.16m/7-1*
8. Channing Ferguson – 2.11m/6-11

Shot Put
10. Brandon Dennis – 16.47m/54-0.5

Shot Put (Invite)
1. CJ Licata – 20.17m/66-2.25
4. Dylan Targgart – 19.21m/63-0.25

Women’s Individual Results
100 Meters
4. Cynteria James – 11.27 (1.0)

400 Meters
1. JaMeesia Ford – 50.43
41. Joslyn Hamilton – 55.75*

800 Meters
12. Sylvia Chelangat – 2:05.56
36. Sinead Joyce – 2:12.58

4×400 Meter Relay (Invite)
1. Akins, James, Ford, Jamison – 3:26.24