COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Spartan trio of
Martha Bissah,
Kiara Grant and
Malika Pride opened up in their specialty events over the weekend, and each posted one of the nation's top times for the women's track team at the Gamecock Opener hosted by the University of South Carolina.
Bissah, the three-time All-American in the 800 meters, ran the half mile for the first time this season on Saturday. Not only did she win her event, but she ran the second-fastest time in the NCAA this year, clocking a time of 2:05.68. Bissah remains ranked sixth nationally in the mile as well.
Grant, a 2019 indoor All-American in the 60-meter dash, ran the 400 and 200 meters in her first two indoor meets. She competed in the 60 for the first time this year on Friday, posting a 7.23 in the prelims and a 7.22 in the final, finishing second in the event and first among collegiate runners. The 7.22 ranks fifth in the country. Grant also still owns the nation's top 200m time (23.25, from Albany).
Pride, an outdoor regional qualifier in the 400 meters last season, opened up in the quarter-mile over the weekend and did not disappoint. She placed fifth in an indoor PR of 54.78 seconds, which is the top time in the MEAC and No. 18 in the country.
That trio, along with
Kara Grant, also ran the Spartans' best 4x400 relay time of the season at USC. She group finished third in 3:44.06.
Elsewhere on the track,
Kara Grant placed fifth in the 800 (2:14.25) and
DaJah Parker-Love clocked a PR in the 60 meters of 7.54 seconds.
In field events, sophomore
Arieana Parker registered a PR in the weight throw for the second time this month. Parker was the runner-up at the meet with a longest throw of 51 feet, 7.25 inches.
Pole vaulters
Kylis Gilmore (third place) and
Destiny Hooks (seventh) both cleared 9-4.25 in the pole vault, both
Tiara Simms and
Ameya Williams posted top-10 finishes in the shot put, and
Tynniesia Wilson did likewise in the high jump.
The Spartans return to the Commonwealth for their next meet, the VMI Team Challenge in Lexington next Saturday.
