JACKSONVILLE– Jax State track and field returns to the road this weekend heading to Louisville, Ky., for the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational hosted by the Cardinals.
 
The Gamecocks got off to a strong start last weekend at Vanderbilt that saw new PRs and several Top 10 and Top 15 finishes both on the track and in the field. Jax State will look to build off an extremely successful start to the season for the sprints, especially the 400-meter group.
 
The competition only increases as the season progresses for Jax State. This weekend's field includes host Louisville, Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, Florida State, Marshall, Indiana, South Florida and Texas Tech among others.
 
The two-day event takes place at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center and is one of four meets staged in the United States - and the only one hosted by a university - to be included on the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Tour, holding a bronze-level classification.
 
The Gamecocks will test their young squad as coaches Jeremy Provence and Stephen Sousa watch for who steps up to the challenge that comes with running against the No. 9 (TTU) and No. 21 (Ohio State) teams in the country. The 4x400m relay in particular will be challenged as the Gamecocks "A" team lines up against some of the best 4x4's in the nation.
 
Senior Carolina Minozzi will likewise face elite talent in the pentathlon as she tries to improve on her personal best mark from earlier this season.
 
Competition on both Friday and Saturday will begin at 10:00 a.m. with track events and field events beginning simultaneously. The women's pentathlon will be staged on Friday.