ORANGEBURG, SC – The South Carolina State track and field teams had a strong performance at the USC Track and Field Opener Saturday (Jan. 10), hosted by the University of South Carolina.
In a strong field that included twelve (12) colleges and universities, the SC State men and women combined for 20 Top 8 finishes at USC, 11 by the men and nine by the women. Also, eight performers set personal records (PRs), and many of the top performers for Coach Don Cooper's teams were newcomers (freshmen and transfers).
Top performers included sophomore
Nia Singleton, first in the 800 meters (2:28.47); freshmen
Tajhana South, first in the triple jump (11.70m, 38-04.75 ft.);
Kyla Dailey, second in the high jump (1.50m, 4-11 ft); Kelesse Burrell, third in the shot put (11.62m, 38-01.50 ft); junior transfer Tinashe Bure, first in the 800 meters (1:54), freshman Kameron James, second in the high jump (1.95m, 6-04.75); junior
Robert Carter, second in the weight throw (14.89m, 48-10.25 ft); junior
Terryn Patterson-Bryant, third in the 60m (6.87); junior transfer
Zacharie Fedelus, third in the long jump (7.04m, 23-01.25 ft); and the 4x400MR (
Jameli Thomas,
Isaiah Vertus,
Jovan Brooks, Kendrick Love), third (3:17.07).
The meet was the second of the indoor season for SC State, which participated in Clemson Opener Dec. 5 before the holiday break. In that meet, Cooper's teams were also impressive, setting seven personal records and one school mark –
Angelina Stabile in the women's pole vault. Also, a number of team members qualified for the MEAC Indoor Championships.
Cooper, who has a notable increase in squad sizes this season, expressed optimism at his teams' start.
"Coming off the break we are still a little rusty but on track to continue improvement," Cooper said. "Definitely not where we want to be yet, but we have time to get there. The newcomers are showing great promise, and I'm excited about that.
"Thanks to our Athletic Trainers for taking care of the athletes and the assistant coaches for their commitment to improving our athletes. We still have several key athletes out with injuries that we hope to get back soon this indoor season."
See Total Results From USC Opener Below:
WOMEN:
Tajhana South (FR)
-PR Triple Jump (38'4.75)
-1st place*
-Tresta Miller (FR)
- 8th 60m (7.76) final rd
-1st rd (7.71) 2nd rd(7.70)
Angelina Stabile (FR)
-6th Pole Vault (10'4)
Kyla Dailey (FR)
-2nd High Jump (4'11)
Lael Valdez (JR)
-7th HJ (4'9)
Kaleese Burrell (FR)
-3rd Shot Put (38'1.50)
Emani Asbury (SO)
-5th 400m (1:01.52)
Makayla Toussaint (JR)
-6th 400m (1:01.99)
4x400 Relay -4th (4:05.26)
TyQwasia Williams (JR
Emani Asbury (SO)
Tresta Miller (FR)
Tajhana South (FR)
MEN:
Tinashe Bure (JR-tr)
-1st 800m (1:54.26
Kameron James (FR)
-2nd HJ (6'4.75) PR
Terryn Patterson-Bryant (JR-tr)
-3rd 60m (6.87) PR
-1st rd (6.90) 2nd rd (6.88)
Isaiah Vertus (SR-tr)
-6th 300m (34.13) PR
Alexander Hollimon (SO)
-4th 60h (8.36)
-1st rd (8.33) 2nd rd (8.28)
Cameron Davis (FR)
-5th 60h (8.36) PR
1st rd (8.40) 2nd rd (8.41)
Zacharie Fedelus (JR-tr)
-3rd Long Jump (23'1.25)
Robert Carter (Jr-tr)
2nd Weight Throw (48.10.25) PR
Martin Hare (SO)
-4th Weight Throw (48.0) PR
Mason Miles (SO)
-5th Shot Put (47'4.50) PR
Desmond Murrell (FR)
-6th Pole Vault (11.9.75)
Julian Johnson (FR)
-8th Pole Vault (10'4)
Kemal Forbes (JR)
-4th 800m (2:00.02) PR
Macaire N'twa (FR)
-8th Mile (4:42.13)
Amari Ned (SO-tr)
-6th 800m (2:06)
4x400 Relay
-3rd (3:17.07)
Jameli Thomas (Jr)
Isaiah Vertus(SR)
Jovan Brooks(SR)
Kendrick Love Jr (FR)
