Okpah's School Record Highlights T&F Weekend In Louisville

Friday, January 26

Louisville, Ky.

Jax State

PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational

1/27/2024 9:45:00 PM | Track and Field

PNC Lenny Lyles Results

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Even with a smaller lineup, Jax State made plenty of noise at the Lenny Lyles Invitational hosted by the University of Louisville this weekend.

One of the premier events of the year, the Gamecocks faced stiff competition from nearby Power Five programs in the region. Jax State did not have mid-distance or distance runners on hand, electing to train for upcoming meets.

In the sprints however, it didn't take long for people to notice one of Jax State's newest Gamecocks in Elo Blessing Okpah. By the time the weekend was over, the freshman from Ughelli North, Delta, Nigeria, had etched her name in the Gamecock record book in her first collegiate meet. Opkah turned heads with a 7.55 qualifying time in the 60-meter dash on Friday to advance into Saturday's prelims. There, she became the only non-Power Five runner to reach the finals with a blistering 7.41 time. She went on to match that mark and finish sixth in the finals trailing a trio of Florida State Seminoles and a Texas Tech Red Raider.

Both of Okpah's identical 60m times on Saturday set Jax State's new indoor school record, besting a decade-old mark. Laveeta Oliver previously held the top time with a 7.47 mark set Feb. 22, 2013.

"She showed great poise for a freshman," said assistant coach Stephen Sousa following the end of the day. "She kept her composure through the rounds and faced off with an Olympian in her 60m final."

Junior Savannah Yates nearly set a new record of her own, taking the No. 2 spot on Jax State's indoor pole vault list. With a 10 centimeter personal best, she cleared 3.68 meters (12'-0 3/4").

"This is something I knew was coming. She has a relentless work ethic and extremely dedicated to her craft."

Freshman Jadyn Bonds cleared a jump of 1.55 meters (5'-1") in Friday's unseeded high jump competition, while senior Carolina Minozzi battled to her second-best pentathlon score in the multis event.

Back on track, Chidinma Margaret Agu, Amiyah Johnson and Hailey Tucker all recorded personal bests this weekend. Tucker and Margaret Agu continue to lead a strong 400m group. Johnson's prelim time landed her at No. 8 on Jax State's Top-10 list.

The 4x400m quartet of Margaret Agu, Breanna Becerra, Emma Drinkard and Tucker ran extremely hard en route to the second fastest time run by a JSU team in over 10 years. Their 3:52.10 mark was the sixth-fastest performance in school history.

"I am extremely excited about the performances that were turned in this weekend. The girls have been working exceptionally hard and meets like this are awesome because we can see the result of all that work. I couldn't be prouder of them."

"It was a great meet for us," added head coach Jeremy Provence. "We have a young group, so to see such positive results at a highly competitive meet is really encouraging."

Jax State returns to Louisville next Friday for the Bellarmine Classic.