Eleven South Carolina track and field members competed in the annual NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Heading into the competition, head coach Curtis Frye was confident about the team's abilities and set big expectations for them.
"We think that we have the possibility for team scoring on the men's and women's side," Frye said to GamecocksOnline. "Our job is to come here and try to be an All-American and try to score for your team. We want to shoot for top-20 team finishes on both sides."
June 8
On opening day, competition kicked off for the men's side. Five Gamecocks earned All-American honors and one set a personal best.
One Honorable Mention All-American honor came from sophomore thrower Dylan Targgart. He tossed the shot 18.12m/59-5.50, earning 22nd place overall.
In addition to Targgart, the four members of the men's 4x100-meter relay team earned Honorable Mention All-America honors. The team finished 19th overall with a time of 39.46. The squad included sophomore jumper Christian Lewis, senior sprinter Evan Miller, freshman sprinter Anthony Greenhow Jr. and freshman sprinter Dominic Dutton.
A highlight of the day came from Miller. In addition to competing in the 4x100-meter relay, he finished 10th overall in the 200-meter with a time of 20.35. Miller set a personal best and the third best time in school history. Later that evening, he was awarded Second Team All-American honors.
“His year was special,” Frye said. “We’re happy to have his leadership back next year. I hope this group learns from this and will find its way back into the top 10.”
Another solid performance came from junior hurdler William Spencer Jr. He ran the 400-meter hurdles in 50.27 and placed 12th overall. Alongside Miller, he also earned Second Team All-American honors for the second year in a row.
As the evening progressed, it was time for the standout freshman distance runner Anass Essayi to compete in the men’s 1500-meter. However, due to injury, he was unable to finish the race.
June 9
On Thursday, the women kicked things off with a bang. All four of South Carolina's entries advanced to the finals.
Both relay teams, the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter, qualified with times of 43.21 and 3:31.80, and their times placed in the top 10 in school history.
Graduate hurdler Destinee Rocker qualified for her first NCAA final in the women's 100-meter hurdles. She placed ninth overall and earned a personal best time of 12.95. Her time also earned her No. 3 in school history in the high hurdles.
"It's my last collegiate track meet, and I want to go out with a bang," Rocker told GamecocksOnline.
Senior sprinter Makenzie Dunmore also had a standout performance. After qualifying with both relay teams, she ran the 400-meters in 51.62 and qualified for another final on Saturday.
June 10
Sophomore jumper Jackson Marseille was the lone Gamecock competing on Friday as he cleared 2.10m/6-10.75 and placed 15th overall. His score earned him Second Team All-America honors.
In Marseille's first NCAA outing, Frye said he was very satisfied with his performance and how he has progressed since being recruited for South Carolina.
"He was one bar away from being a First Team All-American and scoring at this meet," Frye said. "When we signed him, we knew he was a national level guy."
June 11
The final day came around, and the women delivered three First Team All-America honors performances.
Sophomore jumper Rachel Glenn failed to defend last year's high jump title and finished third, earning First Team All-American. She will add this honor to her collection, making it her sixth in two years.
In addition to Glenn, Rocker ran the 100-meter hurdles in her first NCAA final and earned First Team-All American. She earned a time of 13.07 and placed eighth overall.
The 4x400-meter relay team, including graduate sprinter Stephanie Davis, Dunmore, junior sprinter Angel Frank and freshman sprinter Jahnile Registre, had an impressive day. They finished fifth overall and earned a time of 3:25.78. Their performance allowed them to add First Team All-American to their resumes.
"When you line up against the top 12 or top 24 in the nation, it means you're a world-class runner, and you're capable of achieving anything," Davis said to GamecocksOnline.
To finish things off, Dunmore ran the 400 meters in 54.73. She placed ninth and earned Second Team All-America honors.
Up Next
The Gamecocks will have representatives consisting of both current athletes and alumni at the U-20 U.S. Championships. This will serve as the qualification system for the World Athletics Championships later in the summer.
"I'm excited and hopeful for what's to come," Frye said.