Tyler ButlerThe 2024 Paris Olympic Games are right around the corner and Team USA held its track & field trial session at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. from June 21-30.
Nine different Gamecocks, former and current, competed in the US Olympic Trials and were highlighted by the performance of Quincy Hall in the men’s 400 meter dash. Hall, a former NCAA Champion in the 400-meter hurdles (2019), converted to the 400m and left no doubt in mind that he belongs in Paris. The former Gamecock finished atop the standings in all three rounds of the 400m, including winning the US trials by running a personal best time of 44.17 which now ranks fifth currently in the world. Hall will be making his first appearance in the Olympics and looks to become just the second Gamecock ever to medal in the 400m as Otis Harris took home silver in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Freshman phenom JaMeesia Ford and former standout thrower Josh Awotunde also advanced to the finals in their respective events. Awotunde threw 20.93m (68-8) to place seventh in the qualifying round of the men’s shot put, earning a spot in the finale. He then tossed 21.77m (71-5.25) in the finals round, finishing fifth overall and just missing out on joining the Olympic squad. Ford competed in the women’s 400m, starting off her competition by running 51.55 to place 15th in the first round. After earning her spot in the semifinals, the North Carolina native clocked a new personal best in the 400m, running 50.33 to finish seventh overall to stamp her place in the 400m finals. Ford placed eighth overall in the finale of the 400m sprint, crossing the line at 50.80.
Two more Gamecocks advanced to the semifinal rounds of their respective events in the form of Evan Miller (400m) and Jayla Jamison (200m). Miller, a 2023 graduate, ran a season best time of 45.70 in the opening round of the 400m, placing 23rd overall. He then clocked 46.95 in the semifinal round and settled for 26th at the US trials. Jamison, coming off an All-American outdoor season for Carolina, finished 14th in the 200m in both the opening round and the semifinal round. The West Columbia product ran 22.89 in the opening round, followed by 22.68 in the semifinal round, just missing out on an appearance in the finals.
CJ Licata and Dylan Targgart rounded out the current Gamecocks competing, while Chris Royster and Malik Paul were the final two former Gamecocks in the field. Licata and Targgart competed in the shot put, with Licata just missing out on appearing in the shot put finals as he placed 13th overall with a distance of 19.60m (64-3.75), needing to finish Top 12 to advance. Targgart finished 15th overall after throwing 19.46m (63-10.25). Malik Paul competed in the men’s discus and placed 23rd in the qualifying round, throwing 55.16m (181-0), while Royster ran in the men’s 100m sprint and clocked 10.31 (-0.1) to finish 28th in the opening round.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will begin on Friday, July 26 with the opening ceremony and will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 11. Track & Field (Athletics) will commence on Thursday, Aug. 1. Quincy Hall will run the 400m opening round on Sunday, Aug. 4 at 1:05 p.m. (ET).
