ORANGEBURG, SC – The South Carolina State track and field teams opened their outdoor season with a very strong outing at the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge (Mar. 12-13) as they combined for five first place finishes and six other top three showings in the event at Doug Shaw Stadium.

Coach Jerod Wims' young teams, which were without some of their top performers due to COVID-19 issues, also recorded 13 personal records and qualified for the May 7-8, 2021 MEAC Outdoor Championship in seven events at the meet.

The Bulldogs' Devin Brewington won both 100 meters (10.66) and 200 meters (21.53), both MEAC qualifying times. Brenton Shippy, who ran a 10.56 in the 100 meters in the prelims, finished second in the 200 meters (21.53). The duo was also a part of the SC State 4x100 relay team, which was second in a time of 41.26. The SC State 4x400 meter team (Brewington, Dwayne Curnell, Matron Thornton and Shippy) also finished first in a time of 3:26.81.

In the women's competition, freshman Stephanie Jobe won the triple jump (12.00m, 39-4.50 ft.) and was second in the high jump (1.58m, 5-2.25 ft.), both MEAC qualifying marks. Sophomore Jada Banks finished second in the 1500 meters (4.50),

qualifying for the MEAC Championship, while the women's 4x400 relay team (Debrielle Williams, Makayla Jones, E'nyah Dillard and Banks) was first in the event in a time of 4:05.36.

"I can't complain much about our performance from this past weekend," said Wims following the meet. "We have had athletes in and out of quarantine (due to COVID-19) and were still able to have a strong outing and earn some conference qualifying marks. We left more athletes home than I would have liked, but watch out for this young group. They are special."

SC State returns to action Mar. 19-20 at the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Invite at Atlanta.