Jax State compiled four top five finishes and showed improvement in its second outdoor track meet of the season at the Knights Invite hosted by UCF.
 
"This was a productive weekend," said head coach Jeremy Provence. "After last week, we challenged the group, and I thought we executed at a much higher level while showing grit in several races. If we continue to perform this way, we'll keep seeing positive results."
 
Sophomore Viola Jepleting was the winner in the 1500 meters in a time of 4:31.24. Charity Mabuza was fifth in a time of 4:34.30, just over a half second off of her personal best. Jepleting also took third in the 800 in a personal best time of 2:10.49 which is good for third all-time in program history. Mabuza was sixth in the event in 2:11.26 which is a personal best for her and ranks fourth-best all-time in program history.
 
"The sprint and middle-distance groups ran very well this weekend," said Provence. "We had success in these events during the indoor season, so it's great to see them continuing to improve as we begin outdoor competition."
 
Freshman Ella-Grace Edwards posted the third-fastest 100 Meter Dash time in program history at 11.67, finishing 13^th in the field. Sophomore Amaya Johnson ran a career-best 11.78 to finish 16^th and record the fourth-best time in program history. Senior Jailah Loving also ran a career-best in the event with an 11.92 which is seventh-fastest in program history.
 
Freshman Faith Kurgoi took fifth in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase with a time of 11:10.28 for the third-best mark in program history.
 
In the field events, Tierra Agee took ninth in the Long Jump with a best mark of 5.76 meters, moving up to sixth-best all-time in program history in the event. Jadyn Bonds was ninth in the Javelin with a best mark of 39.86 and was 11^th in the High Jump, clearing 1.62 meters.
 
"While the results may not fully reflect it, our field event group also had a strong weekend," said Provence. "Many of the technical components have improved tremendously, and this group is clearly heading in the right direction."

Up next for the Gamecocks is the Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa on April 10^th.