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Aja Rushing, courtesy of Chazz Nevils
Aja Rushing, courtesy of Chazz Nevils
Posted: Apr 18, 2026

Women's Track and Field Competes in Rock Hill at Winthrop Invite

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ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Columbia College Women's Outdoor Track and Field team competed at the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill over the weekend in only throwing and jumping events against competitors from NCAA Div. I and II schools.

Freshman Aja Rushing competed in her first-ever Heptathlon on Friday and finished in 6th place with 2,823 points as she participated in seven events: two jumps, two throws and three running events. She ran the 100 Hurdles in 20.6 seconds and the 200 meters in 29.2 seconds while placing an impressive third in the 800 meters in 2:36, beating D-1 schools High Point and Winthrop as well as D-2 Lander. She then tied for 4th in the High Jump at 1.34 meters before also placing 4th in the Long Jump in 4.46 meters. She was also 2nd in the Javelin throw at 18.06 meters (59 ft) but sixth in the Shot Put at 6.5 meters.

In the Long Jump on Friday, Columbia was led by junior Makayla Blango finishing 7th of 23 with a mark of 5.25 meters (over 17 ft) to qualify for the AAC Championships while freshman Aliayah Hayward was 18th in 4.3 meters. In the women's hammer throw on Friday, senior Hali Doctor led the way placing 10th with a throw of over 35 meters (115 ft) while junior Sia Hooker came in 14th at 32.45 meters. Junior Azia Holmes was also 17th at 30.9 meters.

The Koalas then had success in the Shot Put on Saturday, with three ladies placing in the top 8 of the 14-person field. Leading CC was A. Holmes coming in 4th overall with a throw of 11.3 meters while freshman Jer'Niya Alston was right behind in 5th with a mark of 10.58 meters. Junior Qu'Sondra Wideman then came in 8th place at 10.2 meters. All three women qualified for the AACs.

Finally, in the Discus throw on Saturday, Wideman finished 5th of 19 at 35.73 meters (117 ft) while sophomore Zulma Carcamo came in 7th place at 31 meters as both qualified for the AAC tournament. 

The Lady Koalas will now prepare to compete in the AAC Outdoor Championships from Thursday through Saturday of this week up at Montreat College in Black Mountain, NC.