Thrown to the Top: USC Upstate's Throwers Shine in Columbia

Friday, March 22

Columbia, SC

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

Weems Baskin Relays

3/23/2024 9:18:00 PM | Track and Field

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- At the Weems Baskin Invitational the USC Upstate Track & Field team had another strong performance, particularly in outdoor throws. Keyandre Davis led the Spartans, claiming first place in the men's hammer throw with a personal record heave of 59.46m. Meanwhile, Jessa Beach dominated the women's side, securing the individual title with a personal best hammer throw of 54.66m, good for a new Spartan school record.

In the women's discus throw, Taylor Thomas achieved a personal record with a fifth-place finish, launching the discus 39.61m. Jessa Beach followed closely behind, clinching eighth place with a throw of 38.30m.

Freshman Eastin Burch etched his name in the school record book while securing first place in the javelin throw with a final distance of 59.06m on the men's side; freshman Chasity Hines also set a new school record for the javelin throw and secured a seventh place finish with a distance of 36.62m. Kaleb Sok and Serghe Ungurean represented the Spartans too, finishing eighth and ninth, respectively, with throws of 50.17m and 49.75m.

Jayla Gilbert led the way in the women's shot put, securing fourth place with a personal best throw of 13.63m. Rachel Davis and Dannielle Brown followed suit, claiming eighth and ninth place, respectively, with throws of 13.38m and 12.86m.

In track events, Sam Shimanskiy continued his impressive season with a top-five finish in the men's 800m invite, crossing the line in 1:55.29. Eli Ross had a top-10 finish in the men's 110m hurdles, taking sixth place with a time of 14.76 seconds.

Top Performances Men
Keyandre Davis - Hammer - 59.46m - 1st, Discus - 45.72m - 10th
Eastin Burch - Javelin - 59.06m - 2nd
Sam Shimanskiy - 800m Invite - 1:55.29 - 4th
Elijah Ross - 110m Hurdles - 14.76 - 6th
Michael Moody - Long Jump - 6.72m - 7th
Elias Harrison - 800m - 1:57.88 - 8th
Kaleb Sok - Javelin - 50.17m - 8th
Kevon Chapman - Hammer - 49.37m - 8th
Serghei Ungurean - Javelin - 49.75m - 9th
Khalif Walston - 400m - 48.44 - 10th

Top Performances Women
Jessa Beach - Hammer - 179.04 - 1st, Discus - 38.30 - 8th
Jayla Gilbert - Shot Put - 13.63m - 4th, Hammer - 46.88m - 7th
Rachel Davis - Hammer - 50.37m - 5th, Shot Put - 13.38m - 8th
Taylor Thomas - Discus - 39.61m - 5th, Javelin - 34.45m - 8th
Chasity Hines - Javelin - 36.62m - 7th
Myra Smith - 100m - 11.95 - 7th
Jordan Thornton - 1500m - 4:46.10 - 8th
Dannielle Brown - Javelin - 12.86m - 9th

Personal Best - Men
Nicolas Connor - 100m
Jaylen Robinson - 200m
Khalif Walston - 400m
Antonio Bryan - 400m Hurdles
Keyandre Davis - Hammer

Personal Best - Women
Maleah Cornelius - 100m
Karisma Pollnitz - 400m
Jordan Thornton - 800m
Adalie Harrison - 1500m
Taylor Thomas - Discus, Javelin
Jessa Beach - Hammer
Chasity Hines - Javelin
Jayla Gilbert - Shot Put

Up Next for the Spartans
Upstate will return to Columbia, S.C. on April 6 to compete in the Gamecock Invite, hosted by USC.

Support Upstate Athletics at Sparty's Ball, the largest fundraiser of the year for the Upstate Athletic Fund.
The UAF impacts current and future generations of Spartans developing champions on the field, building scholars in the classroom and preparing leaders for life. Presented by the Sports Medicine Institute, a division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Sparty's Ball features live and silent auction items, delicious food from Cribbs Catering, beverages, and live entertainment from Under the Sun and held at a new location, Indigo Hall in downtown Spartanburg. Come dressed in your Spartan best- cocktail attire is required.
For details and tickets, click www.upstatespartans.com/spartysball.

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