Coastal Carolina saw several athletes earn the top spot on the podium when the outdoor track season began March 18-19 at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational home meet. During the two-day meet, several individuals finished in the top 15 of their respective events.  

Shani’a Bellamy finished first in three events. Her times were as follows: In the 100-meter dash she ran 11.42, 100-meter hurdles she finished 13.52, and 200-meter dash she crossed the line at 23.53. Kayla Sweeney (23.89) and Mekenze Kelley (24.08) also took the other two podium spots in the 200-meter. The women’s team finished first, besting runner up Alcorn State. 

Also in women’s events, Jermaisha Arnold earned first place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 55.2. Nya McGowan in the finals heat of the 400-meter finished at 1:00.30. Alyssa Smith (1:07.80) and Lauren Gordon (1:09.35) in the 400-meter hurdles finished seventh and 11th. Smith also clocked in a 15.04 in the 100-meter hurdles. 

The men’s team tied first place overall with 20 points along with Tiffin University. 

110-meter hurdles Tyler Graves crossed first with a 13.78, and Jaquon Williams finished sixth with 14.34 Chants also finished first in the 100-meter with Garrett Wilkins at 10.38.  Reggie Barlow also finished third with a 10.57.  

Four Chants finished with the top 11 in the 200-meter with Jeremiah Talbert 21.742 finished second. Devonte Harris 21.748 finished fourth, Keshon Sapp 22.06 ninth, and Graves 22.2 finished 11th. 

In the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase, Tomas Duncan finished fourth with a time of 10:29.87.  

During the meet, former Coastal track and field head coach Alan Connie was honored for his efforts to the local track and field community. Additionally, the national champion for the indoor 60m dash, Melissa Jefferson, was recognized as well for her performance in the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships.  

With a national champion on the team, everyone is working harder to see how far they can go. Sandy Fowler, director of track and field and cross country, said having a national champion impacts the team in a positive way.  

“I feel like it has made an emphasis with our team,” Fowler said.. “I see everybody all of a sudden, they’re going to want to step it up because they now believe it can happen here at Coastal.” 

The Chants compete next when the teams travels to the Weems Baskin meet on March 25-26.