South-Carolina
Ford Records World Lead at Corky Classic
LUBBOCK, Texas (Jan. 17, 2025) – South Carolina Track & Field standout JaMeesia Ford paced the Gamecocks in the opening day of the Corky Classic in Lubbock, Texas.
South Carolina won a pair of events on the first day, led by a new world-leading time in the women’s 400 meter sprint by Ford. The Fayetteville, N.C. native clocked 51.20 to win the event, posting the second best time in Gamecock indoor history. In addition, Ford’s time ranks first in the NCAA this season. Ford’s teammate, Zaya Akins, also posted a new personal best in the 400m, running 52.15 to place third overall in the event. Akins’ new personal best time also ranks third in the NCAA and is currently third in the world standings.
The Gamecock women competed in just two field events with Omaria Gordon recording a new personal best in the women’s long jump for the third consecutive meet. The freshman jumper posted a mark of 6.19m (20-3.75) for the seventh best indoor long jump in program history, finishing fifth overall.
South Carolina’s men’s team captured one win as well, as Channing Ferguson secured the title in the men’s long jump. The All-American athlete jumped 7.47m (24-6.25) for the win, recording the seventh best jump in program history and ranking 16th in the NCAA.
All three Gamecocks who ran the men’s 400m set new personal best times, led by Josiah Wrice who clocked 46.38 for the sixth best indoor time in program history. In addition, Wrice’s 400m debut currently ranks him fifth on the NCAA leaderboard.
The Gamecocks will return to action tomorrow in the final day of the 2025 Corky Classic. The first event for South Carolina will be at noon (EST) with the women’s 200 meter sprint.
Men’s Individual Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
19. Antwan Hughes Jr. – 6.77q
21. Anthony Greenhow – 6.80q
60 Meters (Semis)
18. Antwan Hughes Jr. – 6.76
21. Anthony Greenhow – 6.83
400 Meters
4. Josiah Wrice – 46.38*
10. Devan Crumpton – 47.04*
19. Jasauna Dennis – 47.44*
60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
10. David Warmington – 7.92q
60-Meter Hurdles (Semis)
15. David Warmington – 7.95
Long Jump
1. Channing Ferguson – 7.47m/24-6.25
Women’s Individual Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
9. Cynteria James – 7.40Q
13. McKenzie Travis – 7.42q*
17. Jayla Jamison – 7.46Q
60 Meters (Semis)
9. Cynteria James – 7.31*
11. Jayla Jamison – 7.35
17. McKenzie Travis – 7.44
400 Meters
1. JaMeesia Ford – 51.20*
3. Zaya Akins – 52.15*
60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
18. Kennedy Flynn – 8.66q
60-Meter Hurdles (Semis)
17. Kennedy Flynn – 8.66
Long Jump
5. Omaria Gordon – 6.19m/20-3.75*
Pole Vault
12. Lena Richardson – 3.76m/12-4
— Emma Stone – NH
* – denotes indoor PR
Columbia, Mo. — The South Carolina softball team (25-21, 4-13) dropped the second game of its series at Missouri (24-23, 7-10) 5-0 Saturday night (Apr. 18).
Kai Byars led the Gamecocks with a pair of doubles on the night. It was her second multi-hit game of the season and her first game with multiple extra base hits.
The Tigers scored a run in the third inning without the aid of a hit. They would extend the lead and add four more in the fourth.
Carolina’s best opportunity for a run came in third. Byars doubled to lead off the inning and Shae Anderson followed with a bunt single. A double play on a potential sacrifice fly ended the rally.
Emma Friedel (8-4) took the loss, allowing one run on no hits in 3 1-3 innings. She struck out six and walked three.
The rubber game of the series will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.
Audi Crooks on being in the transfer portal
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg catches up with college basketball star Audi Crooks, who is still looking for her next team.
Sports Seriously
Jordan Lee entered the transfer portal after a breakout season at Texas and the junior guard isn’t going too far. She’s staying in the Southeastern Conference.
Lee announced on Instagram Friday that she’s transferring to South Carolina to play for Dawn Staley after spending the first two years of her collegiate career at Texas under Vic Schaefer. Lee captioned her Instagram post, which featured a video montage of her visit to Columbia, South Carolina, “Feeling cocky.”
Lee was one of four players from Texas to enter the transfer portal after the Longhorns’ second consecutive trip to the Final Four ended in a devastating loss to UCLA. She was named to the All-Region team in the Fort Worth 3 bracket in this year’s NCAA Tournament following her Sweet 16 and Elite Eight performance, where she recorded 22 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals while also providing strong defense.
After being limited to five starts her freshman year, Lee slid into the starting lineup last season and started a career-high 38 games. She also averaged career highs in points (13.2), assists (2.5), rebounds (2.5), steals (1.5), field-goal percentage (42%) and free-throw percentage (75%), while shooting 34% from 3-point range.
Texas’ Aaliyah Crump, Justice Carlton and Aaliyah Moore also entered the transfer portal. On Friday, Crump announced she’s transferring to Duke, citing her connection with head coach Kara Lawson.
“For me, choosing Duke University goes far beyond one sentence. The moment I connected with Kara Lawson and her coaching staff, I knew I was exactly where I belonged,” said Crump, who averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game her freshman season at Texas.
Crump continued: “Their dedication and vision for the program is truly special, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of it. The connection Coach Lawson and I have built is one of a kind, and I fully trust in her plan for the success of this program. I can’t wait to be coached by genuine people who support my growth not only as a basketball player, but as a person as well.”
Three-time All-American Madison Booker and junior starting forward Breya Cunningham are expected to return to Texas.
Contributing: Mitchell Northam
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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Each offseason, the NFL shakes up the landscape with free agency, as some of the top names at each position move around the league to new teams. The New Orleans Saints have fallen victim to this in 2026 so far, with Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor both moving on, and Cameron Jordan not having re-signed as of yet. Cornerback was a position that could already use a talent influx alongside Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley; now, it is even more of an issue.
Adding a new defensive back to fill the STAR role for the defense is certainly going to be a focus this spring, and that has been clear from the Saints’ pre-draft meetings. Recently, they added another name to the growing list; this time, it was South Carolina prospect Jalon Kilgore.
There is a lot to like about Kilgore, especially in that nickel or STAR role long term. He is enormously athletic and absolutely rapid both in straight-line testing and on the field. He got a decent chunk of his collegiate snaps at slot corner, 1,382 to be exact, but also had 541 in the box, 238 at free safety, 53 along the defensive line, and 24 as an outside corner.
His coverage metrics in 2025 were very solid, as on 65 targets, he allowed 34 receptions (52.3%) for 390 yards and 2 touchdowns. He picked up 2 interceptions, 10 pass deflections, 54 total tackles, and 2 fumble recoveries in 694 total snaps this season. Throughout the combine, he ended up performing well in pretty much every drill, which bodes well for his ability to translate to the NFL. If the Saints are looking to add someone with slot experience already, Kilgore may be one of the best options available.
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