Student-athletes represent their universities year round. But every four years, they have the opportunity to represent something more.
Freshman sprinter JaMeesia Ford burst on the college scene in 2023 but is no stranger to the national stage. In her senior year of high school, Ford competed on the USA Track & Field U20 team, earning a bronze medal in the 400-meter and a gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay.
However, Ford’s first year on campus coincides with an Olympic year. In her first collegiate season, she has had to navigate being a Gamecock with the Olympic Trials on the horizon.
Ford comes in under the Olympic Trial standard times for the 200-meter (22.57 seconds) and 400 (51.20) events. She ran a 22.08 and a 50.81 in those two events, respectively.
She hit those marks during her historic freshman season, where she swept SEC Freshman Runner of the Year after claiming the title in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
“Knowing that it is an Olympic year, knowing that this is my first year in college, I have a lot to prove and just get my name out there and just do my best,” Ford said.
Ford is just the second woman to sweep the award, joining Olympic gold medalist Lashinda Demus, who did so in 2002. Looking to accomplish a similar feat, Ford will attempt to make her own path to the Olympic stage.
“It’s not really hard balancing, just knowing the difference between what you have to do for the USA and what’s for college,” Ford said. “College is a way different level than the USA. Don’t expect anything less, don’t expect anything more, just do what you have to do.”
Fellow freshman sprinter Nyck Harbor, unlike Ford, is new to the USA stage. Harbor, the No. 1 “athlete” in the country coming out of high school, is a dual-threat athlete for South Carolina as both a runner and a wide receiver on the football team.
He made an immediate impact on both teams as a freshman, especially on the track. After recording several top-ten times in program history during the indoor season, Harbor's success translated to the outdoor season.
However, after running a personal record of 20.20 in the 200 and 10.11 in the 100-meter, he came in under the time standards of 20.30 and 10.20 to qualify for the Olympic Trials in each event. Harbor hadn’t even realized he accomplished the feat until a former coach called to congratulate him, he said.
"Everything going from the beginning of the season, you know, I’m just going to try to do both, see if I can go to the Olympic Trials and play the whole football season and now it’s coming to fruition,” Harbor said. “I’ll be in Eugene, Oregon, trying to represent my country and the Gamecocks. It’s just a blessing being able to do both.”
Whether it’s on the football field or on the track, Harbor said he is eager to take his talents to the national stage.
“I was born for this,” Harbor said. “From a young age, they have tried to put me on the biggest stage from early on. You know it’s just another opportunity to get my name out there just to prove to everybody who I am.”
Another standout field athlete for the Gamecocks will also have a chance to represent his country at the upcoming trials. Senior thrower Dylan Taggart has proven to be a consistent force for the South Carolina and placed third overall in the men's shot put at the 2024 NCAA Track and Field Championship.
His throw of 19.95 meters was enough to solidify the best finish by a Gamecock in six years for men’s shot put and qualify him for the Olympic Trials.
Taggart said he hasn’t modified his training much, even though it was an Olympic year. Instead, he relied on his confidence in his training and coaches.
“This is definitely a moment you dream of as an athlete, so it’s really exciting to be at this stage,” Taggart said. “Feels like it’s going to be a really special opportunity to compete for the Gamecocks in the trials.”
