ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State sophomore TyQwasia Williams won the women's 400 meters (56.89) and the Bulldog men and women combined for 21 Top 10 finishes and five (5) personal records (PRs) Saturday (Mar. 22) at the Weems Baskin Invitational hosted by the University of South Carolina.

The meet, which featured 15 teams, was the outdoor opener for Coach Donald Cooper's teams and provided an early glimpse of expectations for the 2025 campaign.

The SC State men were responsible for 12 of the Top 10 finishes while the women recorded nine, including second-place finishes by freshman Areyanna Scott in the javelin throw 41.69m, 136-09 ft.) and junior Kennedy Spears in the high jump (1.66m, 5-05.25 ft.).

"We were training through this meet, which was our first outdoor competition, to see where we are," said Coach Cooper. "TyQwasia Williams, however, had a great opener in the 400 meters and a first place finish, several athletes made the finals in their events and others set PRs."

Other Top 10 showings for the women included Lael Valdez, fifth in the high jump (1.56m, 5-01.25 ft.), a PR; the 4x400m Relay team, sixth (4.00.76); Makayla Toussaint, eighth in 400m hurdles (1:07.12); Angelica Frederick, ninth in the 200m (25.14); Jourdon Cooper, ninth in the Javelin (23.32m, 76-06 ft.); and Kiara Bundage, tenth in 400m hurdles (1:11.82).

Other Top 10 finishes for the men included freshman Alexander Hollimon, third in the 110m hurdles (14.39); the 4x4m relay team "A";  third (3:18.50); (Josiah Rayford, fourth in 400m hurdles (56.41); Emanuel Yisrael, fifth in the 110m hurdles (58.04); Robert Carter, fifth in the javelin (59.37m, 194-09 ft.);  Hollimon, sixth in the 400m hurdles (59.05); Jacob Alexander, seventh in the 400m (48.65); the 4x400m relay team "B", seventh (3:22.18); Mason Miles, eighth in the shot put (13.43m, 44-00.75 ft.); Thomas White, eighth in the triple jump (13.72m, 45-00.25); Isaiah Campbell, tenth in the 800m (1:58.55); and the 4x400m relay team "C", tenth (3:28.90).

In addition to Valdez, personal records were established by Kemal Forbes in both the 800m (2:03.03) and the 1500m (4:37.20); Emani Asbury in the 800m (2:31.17); Shia Tobias-Wolffe in the 400m (1:03.62); and Nevaeh Campbell in the 200m (26.59).

The teams resume their competition this weekend at the historic Morehouse Relays in Atlanta, following a long hiatus from the event.

"We are looking forward to SC State's return to the historic Morehouse Relays next weekend," Cooper said.