Pair of Gamecock Women Earn SEC Outdoor Honors

COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 9, 2025) – South Carolina’s Salma Elbadra and JaMeesia Ford have earned SEC Outdoor Track & Field honors, as announced by the league office on Monday. Elbadra captured SEC Women’s Newcomer Runner of the Year, while Ford was tabbed as the SEC Women’s Runner of the Year.

Ford earned the 2024 SEC Outdoor Freshman Runner of the Year and has now moved on to claim the Women’s Runner of the Year in 2025. The sophomore sprinter was awarded the Commissioner’s Trophy at the SEC Outdoor Championship, scoring 25 points. The North Carolina native doubled down and won both the 100m and 200m sprints at the conference meet, becoming the first ever Gamecock female to win the 100m at the SEC Championship after running 11.06. She then ran a wind-legal 22.01 in the 200m for a new program record, becoming the fifth fastest collegiate ever in the 200m race. Ford was also pivotal in assisting the Gamecocks with wins in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Heading into the NCAA Outdoor Championship, Ford ranks first in the 200m (22.01) and fifth in the 100m (11.00).

Elbadra made a splash at the SEC Championship in the 1500m, cruising to a time of 4:20.21 for the gold medal. The Morocco native then turned around to score in the 5K with a program record time of 15:51.24 to place sixth in the event. Elbadra now holds the program record in the 1500m (4:05.85), 5K (15:51.24) and she ranks third in school history in the 800m (2:01.76). Elbadra sits eighth in the NCAA rankings in the 1500m as she heads into the NCAA Outdoor Championship.

Elbadra and Ford will return to action this week in the NCAA Outdoor Championship, alongside their teammates. The Gamecocks will open the national competition in Eugene, Ore. on Wednesday with the men competing, while the women are set to race on Thursday.