Bailey, Kreek Lead Cougars at Gamecock Opener

Saturday, January 14

Columbia, S.C.

College of Charleston

Gamecock Opener

1/14/2023 7:49:00 PM | Women's Track & Field

Results

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kaitlynn Bailey moved up the College of Charleston record book in both her sprint events, and freshman Emily Kreek cracked the top 10 in the 60 hurdles to highlight the track and field team's outing at the Gamecock Opener on Saturday.

Bailey began her day with a time of 7.94 in the 60 to move up from fourth to a tie for third. Later in the afternoon, she covered the 200 in 25.96 to shoot up three spots from sixth to third while finishing 12th in a field of 43 runners.

Kreek made her collegiate debut a successful one, taking over seventh place in school history with a time of 9.44 in the 60 hurdles. It was the fastest time by a Cougar in the event in four years, and she finished ninth to miss the finals by just one place.

Cayden Crismon had a solid opening performance in the 3000, crossing the finish line in 10:21.43 to take fourth among 35 runners and miss a spot in the Charleston record book by a half second. Sophia Brown was seventh and fell three seconds shy of the top 10 with a time of 10:23.81.

Two other freshmen – Abby Fush and Emma Fortuna – paced the Cougars in the jumps. Fush had a mark of 17'0 ½" in the long jump to finish 10th, and Fortuna fell just .03 meters shy of the top 10 in the high jump, clearing the bar at 4'11".

Emily Dorony (2:20.75) and Meike Kalus (2:26.01) took second and fourth, respectively, in the 800, and Rhian Purves was sixth out of 40 runners in the mile with a time of 5:06.96. Shannon Smith was 11th in the mile with a PR of 5:18.06.

Alicia Wilson matched her PR in the 60 (8.34), and Avery Jackson established a new career best in the long jump at 16'7 ¾".

The Cougars are back in action next Saturday in Virginia Beach, Va., at the Blue Marlin Invitational hosted by Virginia Wesleyan.