ORANGEBURG, SC – The South Carolina State track and field teams won three events and had 11 Top 5 finishes overall, while establishing nine personal records (PRs) and four season-best performances at the Gamecock Invitational hosted by the University of South Carolina Apr. 6.
 
Earning firsts for head coach Donald Cooper's teams were Areyanna Scott in the javelin (42.17m, 138-04 ft.), Cameran Gist in the triple jump (12.17m, 39-11.25 ft.) and Kennedy Spears in the high jump (1.60m, 5-03.00 ft.).
 
Others finishing in the Top 5 in the men's competition were Thomas White, third in the triple jump (14.10m, 46-03.25 ft.); Dexter Ratliff, fourth in the Discus (49.06m, 160-11 ft.) and fifth in both the hammer throw (45.77m, 150-02.00 ft) and shot put (14.44m, 47-04.50 ft), the latter a PR; Jameli Thomas, fourth in the 110m hurdles (14.61), a PR; and the 4x400m relay team of Jacob Alexander, Dwayne Curnell, Javon Brooks and Eric White), third in a time of 3:14.16.
 
Additional top SC State performers in the women's division included TyQwasia Williams, fourth in the 400m hurdles (1:02.65); and the 4x400m relay team of TyQwasia Williams, Angelica Frederick, Debrielle Williams and Maya Smith), third with a season-best clocking of 3:47.80.
 
"It was another solid day for our teams," Coach Cooper said following the meet, "as we came out and performed well in several events. We still have a lot to improve on and we have just enough time left in the season to do so.
 
"We have been hampered a bit by injuries but are hoping to get a few athletes back from injury and keep everyone else healthy as we prepare for conference (MEAC Championship May 6-8, 2024, at Norfolk, VA)."
 
SC State returns to action Saturday, Apr. 13, when the university will host the inaugural Sharonda Coleman-Singleton Classic in memory of the former Lady Bulldog track standout who was among the nine (9) people killed in a mass shooting Jun. 17, 2015 at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. Saturday's meet, which gets underway at 8:30 a.m., will be the first hosted by SCSU since the 2012 school year.