Gamecock Men Earn Pair of Silver Medals
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 16, 2025) – South Carolina Track & Field positioned itself well for the final day of the SEC Outdoor Championship after winning a pair of silver medals on the men’s side and scoring in a pair of events for the women. In addition to the points, South Carolina qualified for seven additional finals events on Saturday.
Channing Ferguson and CJ Licata highlighted the men’s squad on Friday, each earning silver medalist honors in their respective events. Ferguson entered the men’s long jump with a personal best distance of 7.77m and was able to jump a new wind-legal personal best of 7.92m (26-0) in his final attempt, vaulting up the leaderboard into second for eight points. Ferguson is the first scorer for the Gamecocks in the men’s long jump since 2019 and his runner-up finish is the best overall finish in program history at the SEC Outdoor Championship. His jump of 7.92m also ranks fourth all-time in the Carolina record book and currently sits third in the NCAA East Region. CJ Licata was able to throw a season best distance in the shot put, launching 20.44m (67-0.75) for his second consecutive SEC Outdoor Championship silver medal. In addition, he moves up the ladder into second place in the NCAA East Region.
Dylan Targgart placed fourth overall in the men’s shot put, throwing a season best of his own as he reached 19.55m (64-1.75) and secure five critical points for the Garnet & Black. This was the fourth consecutive SEC Outdoor Championship that Targgart has scored in, joining Josh Awotunde as the only Gamecock shot put throwers to ever do so.
The men’s team qualified for three final appearances out of Friday’s preliminary rounds. Freshman sprinter Josiah Wrice put the conference on notice when he turned in a time of 44.99 in the 400m prelims, taking the top spot. Additionally, Wrice’s mark of 44.99 ranks third in program history, third in the East Region and is the second fastest U20 400m sprint in the world this year. The other two qualifying spots belonged to David Warmington in the 110-meter hurdles and Jaouad Khchina in the 1500m. Warmington turned in a season best time of 13.69 (0.8) to rank 22nd in the region, but more importantly seventh in the preliminary round. Khchina made his way to the 1500m finale after winning his heat, crossing the finish line in 3:50.44.
Elijah Poore rounded out his freshman season with a new personal best in the steeplechase, running 9:08.11 for the fifth fastest time in Gamecock history.
The women’s squad put together a strong performance in day two, scoring in two finals events and then qualifying in all four preliminary races. Cheyla Scott highlighted the scorers with a fourth-place finish in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.87m (6-1.5) to earn five points. Her mark in the high jump is a new career best in a Gamecock uniform and improves on her already third place ranking in program history. Scott becomes the first Gamecock to score in the SEC Outdoor Championship in the high jump since Rachel Glenn in 2022. Additionally, her height of 1.87m now ranks second in the East Region. Teresa Cherotich was the other scorer for the Gamecock women, finishing sixth overall for three points after running 10:09.37 in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Cherotich has now scored in back-to-back SEC Outdoor Championships in the steeplechase.
South Carolina’s women advanced out of all four preliminary events on the track, beginning with freshman hurdler Joslyn Hamilton in the 100-meter hurdles after crossing the line in 13.13 (2.2) to finish ninth in the field. Salma Elbadra was next to qualify in her respective event, doing so in the 1500m after cruising to a time of 4:18.82 to sit third. Zaya Akins and JaMeesia Ford were the final two qualifiers on the day, doing so in the 400m and the 100m. Akins turned in a time of 51.96 to place eighth in the 400m, while Ford led the field in the 100m sprint after running a wind-aided 11.20 (2.6).
South Carolina will close the 2025 SEC Outdoor Championship tomorrow with events beginning at 4 p.m. in the women’s triple jump. The Gamecocks will have a busy final day of action, competing in 18 total events in the conference finale.
Men’s Team Standings
1. Ole Miss – 48
2. Georgia – 43
3. Alabama – 42
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5. South Carolina – 21
Men’s Individual Results
100 Meters (Prelims)
33. Antwan Hughes Jr. – 10.68 (2.2)
400 Meters (Prelims)
1. Josiah Wrice – 44.99Q*
19. Devan Crumpton – 46.23
— Jasauna Dennis – FS
1500 Meters (Prelims)
12. Joshua Kosgei – 3:49.03
15. Jaouad Khchina – 3:50.44Q
110-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
7. David Warmington – 13.69q (0.8)
3000-Meter Steeplechase
16. Elijah Poore – 9:08.11*
Long Jump
2. Channing Ferguson – 7.92m/26-0 (1.0)*
— Nate Figgers – NM
Pole Vault
17. Conor Reilly – 5.00m/16-4.75
20. Parker Samuelson – 5.00m/16-4.75
Shot Put
2. CJ Licata – 20.44m/67-0.75
4. Dylan Targgart – 19.55m/64-1.75
17. Brandon Dennis – 17.40m/57-1
Women’s Team Standings
1. Georgia – 50
2. Alabama – 38
3. Texas A&M – 37
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13. South Carolina – 8
Women’s Individual Results
100 Meters (Prelims)
1. JaMeesia Ford – 11.20Q (2.6)
16. Cynteria James – 11.47 (-0.9)
400 Meters (Prelims)
8. Zaya Akins – 51.96q
1500 Meters (Prelims)
3. Salma Elbadra – 4:18.82Q
18. Abigail White – 4:27.36
100-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
9. Joslyn Hamilton – 13.13q (2.2)
3000-Meter Steeplechase
6. Teresa Cherotich – 10:09.37
High Jump
4. Cheyla Scott – 1.87m/6-1.5
Long Jump
16. Madison Childress – 5.85m/19-2.5 (0.0)
22. Cameran Gist – 5.66m/18-7 (-2.8)
24. Maliya Kinard – 5.60m/18-4.5 (-2.1)
* – denotes outdoor PR
