Gamecock Women Battle Elements in First Round of NCAA East Regionals
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 29, 2025) – It was another battle against the elements today as it was the women’s turn to take on the NCAA Track & Field East Regional in Jacksonville, Fla. South Carolina was able to secure seven advancements into Saturday’s quarterfinals, while also seeing a pair of male shot-put throwers punch their tickets to Eugene.
Salma Elbadra was the first South Carolina athlete to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals, running 4:13.35 in the fourth heat of the 1500m. Elbadra cruised to the win and the seventh best time in the opening round. She was then followed by Cynteria James and JaMeesia Ford in the women’s 100m, finishing fifth and 14th respectively. James ran a season best time of 11.05 (1.8) to finish runner-up in heat two, while Ford clocked 11.23 (1.7) to capture the runner-up finish in the sixth and final heat as each sprinter earned the automatic qualifier.
Zaya Akins was the next Gamecock on the track in the women’s 400m. The sophomore sprinter advanced to Saturday’s festivities after posting a time of 51.56 in the fifth heat, finishing second in the heat and ninth overall to earn the automatic spot.
The women’s 200m swept the first round with each of the three runners winning their respective heats. Ford claimed the opening heat with a casual 22.74 (-1.1), carrying the top time into Saturday’s quarterfinals. Jayla Jamison was the next to win her heat, doing so in the second heat with a season best time of 22.80 (-0.8) to rank third overall. James completed the sweep after winning the sixth and final heat of the short sprint, running 23.09 (-1.1) and sitting ninth on the leaderboard.
Hannah Togami was competing in the women’s pole vault before it was called due to inclement weather. Togami will resume her competition tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. as she will attempt her second try at clearing 4.09m (13-5). The sophomore pole vaulter was able to clear the opening height of 3.94m (12-11) on her second attempt to move to the next round.
CJ Licata and Dylan Targgart both punched tickets to Eugene in the men’s shot put, an event that was scheduled for yesterday at 6 p.m. but was postponed until today at 12:30 p.m. due to weather. The dynamic duo are headed back to Oregon for the second consecutive year as Licata threw 20.25m (66-5.25) and Targgart tossed 19.08m (62-7.25) to finish second and eighth, respectively.
South Carolina’s men’s team returns to action tomorrow for the final chance to secure spots at the NCAA Outdoor Championship. The Gamecocks will compete in six events tomorrow, beginning with men’s triple jump at 2:30 p.m.
Women’s Individual Results
100 Meters (First Round)
5. Cynteria James – 11.05Q (1.8)
14. JaMeesia Ford – 11.23Q (1.7)
200 Meters (First Round)
1. JaMeesia Ford – 22.74Q (-1.1)
3. Jayla Jamison – 22.80Q (-0.8)
9. Cynteria James – 23.09Q (-1.1)
400 Meters (First Round)
9. Zaya Akins – 51.56Q
800 Meters (First Round)
41. Sylvia Chelangat – 2:07.99
1500 Meters (First Round)
7. Salma Elbadra – 4:13.35Q
100-Meter Hurdles (First Round)
25. Joslyn Hamilton – 13.32 (1.8)
Men’s Individual Results
Shot Put
2. CJ Licata – 20.25m/66-5.25q
8. Dylan Targgart – 19.08m/62-7.25q
