Recap: South Carolina track & field updates after Day 1 of nationals
Day 1 of the NCAA Outdoor Championship is in the books. On Wednesday, the men led things off with five South Carolina Gamecocks competing in Eugene, OR.
Making his nationals debut, dual-sport freshman Nyck Harbor took part in both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints. Running the 100m first, Harbor finished fifth in his heat, and 16th overall out of 24 sprinters, after running 10.30. Needing to come in the top-nine in the 200m to qualify for a spot in Friday’s finals, Harbor ran 20.32 in Heat 2. But in heartbreaking fashion, in the final heat, Arkansas’ Lance Lang earned the ninth and final spot after running 20.31. Harbor’s performances earned him Second Team All-American honors in both events.
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While his freshman season has come to an end, he’ll still be busy with track. At least for the next month. Running 20.20 at the East Regional three weeks ago in the 200m, Harbor’s performance earned him an automatic qualifying spot for the 2024 US Olympic Trials. Those will be held June 21-30, also in Eugene, OR.
Anass Eyssai ran 3:39.75 in the 1500m. Despite finishing 13th overall, because he came in second in his heat, Eyssai advances to Friday’s finals. That will take place at 6:12 p.m. PT (9:12 p.m. ET). Channing Ferguson placed 13th in the long jump with a jump of 24-9¾. With his showing, he earned 2nd Team All-American honors. He’ll compete in Friday’s high jump finals at 5:30 p.m PT. Last year he came in 14th place at nationals in that event.
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In men’s shot put, Dylan Targgart took home bronze with a throw of 66-4½ to earn him First Team All-American honors. Despite battling an illness, CJ Licata came in 16th place with a throw of 61-7¾. His efforts earned him a spot as a 2nd Team All-American.
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Thursday will be the start for the women’s events at nationals. The Gamecocks are sending eight women (one alternate) to Eugene this week. The group is headlined by Jayla Jamison who’ll be competing in the 200m preliminaries at 7:44 p.m. PT. Sylvia Chelangat will make her nationals debut as she competes in both the 800m and the 4x400m relay.
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The group also includes five true freshmen who’ll be making their NCAA Championship debuts. Those women include Zaya Akins (400m, 4×100, 4×400), Teresa Cherotich (3K Steeplechase), JaMeesia Ford (200m, 4×100, 4×400), Cynteria James (200m, 4×100) and Judy Kosgei (1500m). Jahnile Registre has also earned her way to Eugene as the 400m specialist will aid the Gamecocks in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
With Wednesday of the NCAA Outdoor Championship complete, there’s still three more days remaining. Thursday and Friday will air live on ESPN2/ESPN+ while Saturday’s finals will air on ESPN.
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