Student-athletes represent their universities year round. But every four years, they have the opportunity to represent something more.
Freshman sprinter JaMeesia Ford burst on the college scene in 2023 but is no stranger to the national stage. In her senior year of high school, Ford competed on the USA Track & Field U20 team, earning a bronze medal in the 400-meter and a gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay.
However, Ford鈥檚 first year on campus coincides with an Olympic year. In her first collegiate season, she has had to navigate being a Gamecock with the Olympic Trials on the horizon.
Ford comes in under the Olympic Trial standard times for the 200-meter (22.57 seconds) and 400 (51.20) events. She ran a 22.08 and a 50.81 in those two events, respectively.
She hit those marks during her historic freshman season, where she swept SEC Freshman Runner of the Year after claiming the title in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
鈥淜nowing that it is an Olympic year, knowing that this is my first year in college, I have a lot to prove and just get my name out there and just do my best,鈥� Ford said.
Ford is just the second woman to sweep the award, joining Olympic gold medalist Lashinda Demus, who did so in 2002. Looking to accomplish a similar feat, Ford will attempt to make her own path to the Olympic stage.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not really hard balancing, just knowing the difference between what you have to do for the USA and what鈥檚 for college,鈥� Ford said. 鈥淐ollege is a way different level than the USA. Don鈥檛 expect anything less, don鈥檛 expect anything more, just do what you have to do.鈥�
Fellow freshman sprinter Nyck Harbor, unlike Ford, is new to the USA stage. Harbor, the No. 1 鈥渁thlete鈥� in the country coming out of high school, is a dual-threat athlete for 国产三级片 as both a runner and a wide receiver on the football team.
He made an immediate impact on both teams as a freshman, especially on the track. After recording several top-ten times in program history during the indoor season, Harbor's success translated to the outdoor season.
However, after running a personal record of 20.20 in the 200 and 10.11 in the 100-meter, he came in under the time standards of 20.30 and 10.20 to qualify for the Olympic Trials in each event. Harbor hadn鈥檛 even realized he accomplished the feat until a former coach called to congratulate him, he said.
"Everything going from the beginning of the season, you know, I鈥檓 just going to try to do both, see if I can go to the Olympic Trials and play the whole football season and now it鈥檚 coming to fruition,鈥� Harbor said. 鈥淚鈥檒l be in Eugene, Oregon, trying to represent my country and the Gamecocks. It鈥檚 just a blessing being able to do both.鈥�
Whether it鈥檚 on the football field or on the track, Harbor said he is eager to take his talents to the national stage.
鈥淚 was born for this,鈥� Harbor said. 鈥淔rom a young age, they have tried to put me on the biggest stage from early on. You know it鈥檚 just another opportunity to get my name out there just to prove to everybody who I am.鈥�
Another standout field athlete for the Gamecocks will also have a chance to represent his country at the upcoming trials. Senior thrower Dylan Taggart has proven to be a consistent force for the 国产三级片 and placed third overall in the men's shot put at the 2024 NCAA Track and Field Championship.
His throw of 19.95 meters was enough to solidify the best finish by a Gamecock in six years for men鈥檚 shot put and qualify him for the Olympic Trials.
Taggart said he hasn鈥檛 modified his training much, even though it was an Olympic year. Instead, he relied on his confidence in his training and coaches.
鈥淭his is definitely a moment you dream of as an athlete, so it鈥檚 really exciting to be at this stage,鈥� Taggart said. 鈥淔eels like it鈥檚 going to be a really special opportunity to compete for the Gamecocks in the trials.鈥�
