The South Carolina State men’s and women’s track and field teams finished their season with notable results at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships, according to a May 19 announcement. The men’s team secured second place overall, while the women’s team placed sixth.
The results mark an improvement for both programs. The Bulldogs’ men’s team earned 126 points, advancing from fifth place last year and achieving their highest finish since also placing second in 1993. The women’s team improved its score to 83 points from last season’s total of 50.
Several athletes contributed individual successes. SC State athletes claimed five MEAC titles: in the women’s long jump (where Gaines set a conference record), women’s pole vault, men’s javelin, men’s pole vault, and men’s decathlon. Isaiah Johnson was runner-up in both the men’s decathlon and javelin events. Additional bronze medals were won in the women’s long jump, heptathlon (with Cooper setting a school record for most points scored), the women’s 800 meters, and by Tinashe Bure in the men’s 1,500 meters.
SC State head coach Donald Cooper said: “I am proud of what our men and women teams accomplished this outdoor season. It was a tough season full of distractions and adversity. I am proud of how resilient our teams were and how committed my coaching staff remained.” He continued: “The men went into the meet to win a championship, but we came up short and I take the responsibility for that,” he said. “Our second-place finish, however, was the highest placing at the MEAC Outdoor Championships in 33-years since my freshman year as an athlete on the team in 1993 where we finished second that year.”
Cooper also commented on future prospects for his athletes: “Future is bright for the women as the two gold medals and one silver medal came from all freshmen.” He credited Coach Glover, Coach Ratliff, student assistant coach Jarred Boan who is also strength and conditioning coach for their roles supporting both squads.
Looking ahead to next season, SC State aims to build on these achievements as they continue developing talent within both programs.
