Poore Sets Steeplechase Record at Wake Forest Invitational

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (April 16, 2026) – South Carolina Track & Field kicked off the weekend early on Thursday night as the distance team competed in the Wake Forest Invitational in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Elijah Poore paced the Gamecocks on the opening night of the two-day meet, setting a personal record and a school record in the 3000-meter steeplechase after crossing the line in 8:57.36. Poore’s time was good enough for runner-up in the second section of the event as he also climbed the regional rankings to 28th overall.

Kaleb Burroughs also set a new personal record in the 800m, running 1:49.01 to earn silver medal honors in the first section.

Sylvia Chelangat and Teresa Cherotich were the lone Gamecock women to compete, each finishing fifth in their respective events with Chelangat running 2:05.99 in the 800m and Cherotich clocking 10:03.27 in her steeplechase season opener. Cherotich’s steeplechase opener catapults her into third in the NCAA East Regional ranking.

South Carolina will be back in action tomorrow with a pair of meets as the Gamecocks close out the Wake Forest Invitational, while also kickstarting day one of the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Fla.

Men’s Individual Results
800 Meters (Invite – Section 1)
2. Kaleb Burroughs – 1:49.01*
6. Knox Eaton – 1:52.63

800 Meters (Invite – Section 3)
8. Edouard Lecrivain – 1:48.78

800 Meters (Section 8)
— Carlos Lanzagorta-Ruiz – DNF

3000m Steeplechase (Section 2)
2. Elijah Poore – 8:57.36*

Women’s Individual Results
800 Meters (Invite – Section 2)
5. Sylvia Chelangat – 2:05.99

3000m Steeplechase (Invite – Section 3)
5. Teresa Cherotich – 10:03.27

* – denotes outdoor collegiate PR