Gamecocks Cap Indoor Regular Season On High Note

Friday, February 9

Gainesville, Fla.

Jax State

Florida Last Chance Meet

Meet Info

2/9/2024 9:07:00 PM | Track and Field

Last Chance Results

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A limited lineup didn't slow Jax State down from setting new standards at Friday's Last Chance Meet in Florida.

"Today was a very successful meet for the team. Days like today are a testament to how hard the women have worked to get to this point," said head coach Jeremy Provence. "This is a meet that should give our women confidence heading into conference. We had several program top 10 marks, several CUSA top ten marks, and another school record."

Jax State's carving out a niche in the pole vault this spring with a trio that continues to impress and improve. Savannah Yates led the way on Friday increasing her own school record with a height of 3.85 meters (12'-7.5") in a runner-up effort. Lennon Ibsen and Kayley Stanley finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the competition.

"Savannah once again raised the bar in pole vault with another huge PB and improving her own school record. She continues to vault with confidence and will have an opportunity to perform well at the conference championship."

In the high jump, freshman Jadyn Bonds scored a top 10 with a clean pass at 1.55 meters (5'-1").

Multi-athletes Carolina Minozzi and freshman Maggie Jones both reached the finals in the 60-meter hurdles. Minozzi's third-place finish in 9.09 narrowly topped Jones with a 9.14 mark.

"Having two of our hurdlers qualify for finals was great for that group. Carolina and Maggie each ran really well in finals finishing a strong third and fourth. Maggie started the day off with a lifetime best in long jump, setting the tone for a successful day."

Jones' 5.20-meter leap of more than 17 feet was good for sixth-place in a field of 26.

Blistering through the heats and prelims, Elo Blessing Okpah matched her recently set indoor school record with a 7.41 to win the 60-meter dash finals. She edged Jacksonville's Cassie Thompson by one-one hundredths of a second. She also clocked a 25.16 in the 200 meter event.

In the 400-meters, Chidinma Margaret Agu came across the stripe in second with a 55.93 time, while teammate Hailey Tucker scored fourth with a strong 57.25.

"The sprint group had a great day highlighted by Elo's 60-meter victory. Elo also placed well in the 200m finishing in third. Chidinma posted a strong double in the 60m and 400m. She competed hard and ran a strong last 200m to finish runner-up. Hailey also ran a personal best in the 60m and 400m. Overall, this group continues to compete hard and has performed very well during the regular season. I'm excited to see how they stack up at the conference championship."

"Beti had a strong showing in the 800m, running a personal best and coming away with the event win. Lindsay dropped a huge personal best in the mile and improved her spot in the Jax State record book. She followed that up two hours later with another personal best in the 800m."

JImeno's victory in the 800-meters came in a time of 2:13.28. Lindsay Fletcher and Breanna Becerra came home fifth and sixth with 2:22 times to give Jax State half of the top six finishing spots.

In the 3,000-meter event, Gamecock freshmen Clara Rubio Machacon and Kyra Brouwer continue to improve. Both set personal bests with Machacon's 10:29.93 performance moving her into fourth place in the Jax State record book.

"I love the fight with these two. They keep working and competing."

Jax State will not be in action next weekend as the squad begins preparation for Conference USA Indoor Championships Feb. 23-24 in Lynchburg, Virginia.