Gamecock Women Display Prowess in First Round of East Regionals
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 28, 2026) – The Gamecock women dominated the show in the opening day of the women’s competition at the NCAA East Regional in Lexington, Ky. South Carolina punched two tickets to Eugene in the field events and advanced all 11 entries on the track to the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Tristen Harris and Jathiyah Muhammad secured their spots in the NCAA Outdoor Championship, doing so in the women’s long jump and the women’s pole vault. Harris, a freshman set to make her first appearance in Eugene, was able to jump 6.33m (20-9.25) to place eighth overall in the long jump. Muhammad earned her passage to Eugene in the pole vault, clearing the final bar necessary at 4.27m (14-0) on her final attempt. The reigning SEC Indoor Champion finished ninth overall in the event to secure her first trip to Eugene.
On the track, the Gamecocks went a perfect 11-for-11 in qualifiers, including 4-of-4 in the 100m and 3-for-3 in the 200m. Cynteria James led the Gamecocks in the 100m sprint, running 11.07 to place fourth overall. She was followed by JaMeesia Ford who advanced in both the 100m (11.18) and the 200m (22.55), finishing third overall in the 200m and ninth overall in the 100m. Alexis Brown advanced in both the 100m (11.25) and the 200m (22.61), finishing sixth in the 200m and 15th in the 100m sprint. Kymora-Lee Williams had herself a day in both the 100m and the 200m as well, advancing in both events after running 11.35 (23rd) in the 100m and a personal best 23.04 in the 200m (17th).
Salma Elbadra left no doubt in the 1500m first round, running the fastest time in the field after clocking 4:10.48 to advance through to Saturday. Joslyn Hamilton advanced in the 100-meter hurdles, crossing the finish line in 13.07 (0.2) to finish third in her heat and earn an automatic qualifying time.
Akala Garrett and Kyndall Harrington-Spain wrapped up the Gamecock qualifiers on Thursday night, doing so in the 400-meter hurdles. Garrett won her heat easily, running 56 seconds flat for the fifth fastest time in the field. Harrington-Spain finished second in her heat to earn the automatic bid into the next round, clocking 57.19 to place 11th overall.
The Gamecock men will close out their participation in the NCAA East Regional tomorrow with tickets on the line to the NCAA Outdoor Championship in Eugene, Ore. in two weeks. South Carolina will compete in six total events tomorrow, beginning with the men’s 1500m at 5:15 p.m. and ending with the 4x400m relay at 8:45 p.m.
Women’s Individual Results
100 Meters (First Round)
4. Cynteria James – 11.07Q (0.6)
9. JaMeesia Ford – 11.18Q (0.3)
15. Alexis Brown – 11.25Q (0.3)
23. Kymora-Lee Williams – 11.35q (0.3)
200 Meters (First Round)
3. JaMeesia Ford – 22.55Q (-0.4)
6. Alexis Brown – 22.61Q (0.6)
17. Kymora-Lee Williams – 23.04q (-0.5)*
1500 Meters (First Round)
1. Salma Elbadra – 4:10.48Q
100-Meter Hurdles (First Round)
15. Joslyn Hamilton – 13.07Q (0.2)
400-Meter Hurdles (First Round)
5. Akala Garrett – 56.00Q
11. Kyndall Harrington-Spain – 57.19Q
Long Jump (First Round)
8. Tristen Harris – 6.33m/20-9.25q (0.2)
Pole Vault (Semifinals)
9. Jathiyah Muhammad – 4.27m/14-0q
* – denotes outdoor collegiate PR
