COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Norfolk State men registered eight top-10 finishes on the track Saturday in a strong showing at the Gamecock Invitational hosted by the University of South Carolina.

The Spartans posted top-10s in all three sprints, both middle-distance races and in the 5,000. Sophomore Savien Hayes was the lone Spartan in that bunch to record a personal-best. He crossed the line fourth in the 200 meters in 21.17 seconds.

Keith Brown notched a season-best in the 100 meters, clocking a 10.56 in a seventh-place finish. Classmate Trequan Barnes competed in the 400 meters for the first time this year and placed third in 47.01 seconds.

In the middle distance events, Kamil Jihad placed third in the 800 (1:54.46) and Lelei Too was ninth in the 1,500 in 4:11.62.

The Spartans showed their depth in the 5,000, as three runners placed in the top five. Evans Cheruiyot was third in 15:18.45, Meshack Kipchirchir finished fourth in 15:19.28, and Isa Suleiman fifth in 15:20.27.

In the field, sophomore Azad Williams recorded a PR in the shot put. His top throw traveled 51 feet, 5 inches, good for seventh place.

Freshmen Nile Walker and Rodric Cox-Cooper opened up in the triple jump and both placed in the top five. Walker's best jump went 46-6.75 and helped him claim third place. Cox-Cooper was fourth in 46-0.75.

Said NSU Director of Track and FIeld Kenneth Giles: "Our team continues to overcome adversity and really competed well this weekend against some Power 5 competition."

The Spartans return to action next Friday and Saturday at the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville.