BIRMINGHAM – Jax State track and field rewrote part of the record books at the UAB Spring Invite over the weekend establishing two new school records along with multiple other personal best efforts.
 
Elo Blessing Okpah continued to shine with PR times in both the 200 and 100-meter sprints. Her 100-meter race set a new Jax State school record at 11.30 seconds as she took gold in the event. She also finished top five with a 24.25 run in the 200 meters, just ahead of teammate Chidinma Magaret Agu.
 
"Elo had an incredible day. Not only did she set a new school record in the 100 meter, but this performance puts her in a great position to make the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship First Round," said head track and field coach Jeremy Provence following the meet. "Elo followed up the 100 meter with a new PR in the 200 meter and a top five performance in the Jax State record book. We are incredibly excited for Elo and look to continue the momentum moving forward."
 
The Gamecocks also set a new program record in the field when Kayley Stanley cleared 3.90 meters (12'-9.5") for the pole vault title.
 
"Kayley continues her great start to outdoor. The consistency meet in and meet out has been outstanding. I feel like each of the past three weeks we have been vaulting for a new PR or school record. Today, Kayley cleared the bar in a big way."
 
The records continued to come in the hurdles when sophomore Hailey Tucker's personal best time of 1:00.41 in the 400-meter hurdles not only took the gold, but set a UAB facility record in the process. Her run went down as the 57th best 400mH race time across Division I this season.
 
"Dropping two PRs in two events on one day is a difficult task. Doing it in the hurdle events is even more impressive. Hailey started her day with a PR and top 10 program mark in the 100mH and followed that with a massive run in the 400mH setting a PR, program top 10 mark, and facility record. As she continues to improve her timing and fitness, I expect her to challenge the 60-second barrier and program record."
 
Across the board, Jax State placed Gamecocks in the top five both on the track and in the field events. Freshman Jadyn Bonds had another strong weekend highlighted with a victory in the high jump competition reaching 1.66 meters.
 
"Competing in multiple events, Jadyn had a couple PRs and an event win in high jump. It's great to see the progression, but it was even better to see her competing more aggressively and competing with confidence."
 
Other leading performances included Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno's win in the 800-meter race with a time of 2:15.91, just a few seconds off her own PR. Emma Drinkard finished runner-up in the 400-meter event clocking 57.93.
 
The Gamecocks head to the Joe Walker Invite at Ole Miss next weekend as the outdoor season rolls into April.