BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Chidinma Margaret Agu and
Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno combined for three top 10 individual performances at the Samford Invite on Friday at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The second indoor meet of the season resulted in several positive outings for the Gamecocks.
Agu's day was highlighted by a seventh-place finish in the 200-meter at 24.66 seconds. Her 24.66 second finish ranks as the 89th best 300-meter dash in the NCAA so far this indoor season.
Emma Drinkard also placed 14th in the 200-meter with
Nicola Peters setting a new personal best time of 25.22.
The sophomore followed that up with a ninth-place finish in the 60-meter semifinal at 7.72 seconds. Peters,
Amiyah Johnson and
Kailey Lett finished not far behind Agu, all with sub-7.90 times.
Jimeno starred for Jax State in the distance category, placing third in the 800-meter with a time of 2:15.68, the 51st best mark in the NCAA this year. In the one mile and 3000 meter the Gamecock freshman showed out, with
Maxima Majer and
Olivia King placing 15th and 16th in the one mile alongside
Linda Grundmann placing 15th in the 3000-meter.
Cayla Johnson turned in the Gamecocks' best performance in the 60-meter hurdle prelims, placing 16th with a 9.26. Johnson also led Jax State in the shot put, throwing an 11.50m distance for 15th.
Breanna Becerra rounded out Jax State in the individual track events, placing 14th in the 400 meter with a time of 58.70.
Katie Langford also placed 20th in the 400-meter.
Chaci Whitfield finished just outside the top 10 in the high jump, placing 11th at 1.61m while
Jadyn Bonds finished 15th at 1.56.
Sky White and
Chanel Rutledge also finished in the top 15 of the long jump, placing 11th and 12th respectively.
Kayley Stanley replaced 11th in the pole vault, clearing a height of 3.67m with
Savannah Yates one spot behind at 3.52m.
Jax State placed 11th out of 20 clubs participating in the 4 x 400-meter relay with a 4:08.25 time.
The Gamecocks continue indoor track and field season on Jan. 31 at the Scarlet Knight Open in New York City.
