Women's Indoor Track Competes at USC Gamecock Open

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College women's indoor track and field team competed in their second indoor meet of the season on Saturday at the Gamecock Open at the University of South Carolina. The meet involved only NCAA Div. I, Div. II, and Div. III schools while the Koalas were the only NAIA team in attendance.

Freshman Dara Gray got the Ladies started by placing 22nd out of 36 in the 60 meter dash in a time of 8.03 seconds while teammates, sophomore Faith Eugene and junior Kwamecia Marks finished in the top 30 with times of 8.3 seconds. Gray also led the Koalas in the 200 meter dash placing 21st in 27.03 seconds while sophomore Jayla Graham was 22nd out of 32 in 27.04 seconds. Eugene and Marks then placed 14th and 16th respectively in the 300 meter dash in times of 44.5 seconds for Eugene and 47 seconds for Marks.

Then, in the 400 meter dash, CC was led by sophomore Tylashia Alston finishing 7th of 17 in 1:02 while freshman Sharetta Jones was 13th in 1:04.5.

In the 800 meters, freshman Aja Rushing made her season debut and finished an impressive 2nd place in 2:34.98 (top 50 in NAIA) while fellow freshman Shakayla Burroughs was 5th in 2:51. In the Mile run, senior Juliana Gonzalez led the Koalas placing third overall (first among D-2) in 5:39 to rank in the top 40 in the nation in the NAIA while freshman teammate Annsley Howle was 5th in 5:57.

Continuing the distance races, the Koalas were then led by sophomore Avarose Buccino in the 3000 meters placing 3rd in 12:24 while freshman Alissa McCann was 4th in 12:33. Senior Jennyfer Vigueras was then 5th in just under 13 minutes.

Finally, the Ladies competed in four field events as well: Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put and Weight Throw. First, in the Long Jump, CC was led by J. Graham with a mark of 5.28 meters (17.4 ft) to place 7th out of 21 while junior Makayla Blango was 11th in 5.12 meters (16.9 ft). Freshman Chenoa Haygood also placed 17th in 4.67 meters (15 ft). Haygood and Blango, unfortunately, each fouled out in the Triple Jump.

In the Shot Put, Columbia was led by junior Azia Holmes placing 13th out of 19 with a mark of 10.12 meters (33 ft) while senior Anaya Canty was 14th at 9.94 meters (32.7 ft) and freshman Jerniya Alston in 15th at 9.59 meters (31.5 ft). Finally in the Weight Throw, the Koalas were led by a terrific performance from junior Doreshia McAllister placing 3rd at 13.92 meters (45 ft.) while Canty was right behind in 4th at 13.83 meters. Freshman Myanna Alston was also 13th with a throw of 10.65 meters.

The women will next be competing on January 17 in Roanoke, VA at the Finn Pincus Invitational.

 Shakayla Burroughs pictured below: