Four Gamecocks Set to Represent South Carolina at USATF Outdoor Championships in Hopes of Earning National and Global Glory
The South Carolina Gamecocks will be well represented on the national track and field stage this week, as four standout athletes are set to compete at the prestigious USATF Outdoor Championships. This annual meet, widely regarded as one of the most competitive domestic athletics events in the world, serves not only as a showcase for the best athletes in the country but also as a gateway to global competition. For these four Gamecocks, it’s more than just another meet—it’s an opportunity to cement their legacies, test themselves against elite competition, and potentially secure spots on Team USA for upcoming international championships.
The group includes a mix of experience and youth, each with their own path to this moment. For the seasoned veterans, the USATF Championships represent another chance to prove their consistency at the highest level. For the younger athletes, it’s an opportunity to emerge onto the national radar and show the rest of the country what South Carolina has been seeing all season long. Each of these four competitors has earned their place in the field through months of discipline, competition, and unrelenting dedication.
Among the Gamecocks headed to the meet is sprinter Alicia Ward, a senior who has become synonymous with excellence in the 100m and 200m events. Ward has been a force in the SEC for years, and now, she has a chance to showcase her explosiveness on the national stage. Known for her incredible start and smooth transition phases, Ward comes into the championship ranked among the top ten in the nation in both sprints. This season, she has consistently broken personal records and has steadily improved her top-end speed, catching the attention of coaches and scouts across the country.
Ward’s journey hasn’t been without adversity. During her sophomore year, she suffered a hamstring injury that forced her to miss nearly half the season. Many wondered if she’d be able to return to form, but her comeback has been nothing short of inspiring. Through relentless rehabilitation, mental conditioning, and sheer determination, she not only returned to the track but came back faster than ever. Now, standing at the cusp of her college career’s pinnacle moment, she is poised to challenge for a podium finish and potentially earn a spot on Team USA for the World Championships.
Joining her in the sprints is freshman phenom Dante Brooks, who has taken the collegiate track and field world by storm in his debut season. Specializing in the 400m, Brooks has displayed a unique blend of strength, stamina, and finishing speed that belies his youth. Coaches at South Carolina speak glowingly of his maturity and focus, and it’s clear that Brooks is built for the big moments. His times this season have placed him among the fastest freshmen in the country, and his ability to run negative splits has given him a tactical edge in late-race scenarios.
For Brooks, the USATF Championships represent more than just a race—it’s a statement of arrival. He’ll face a stacked field that includes Olympians and professional runners, but he’s shown no signs of intimidation. Instead, he’s approached the moment with calm intensity, fully embracing the chance to measure himself against the best. Regardless of the outcome, Brooks’ participation is a sign of things to come, both for him and for the future of South Carolina’s track and field program. His performance will be watched closely by national coaches and international scouts alike.
Field events will also feature Gamecock excellence, thanks to the powerful presence of thrower Malik Anderson, a senior who specializes in the discus and shot put. Anderson has been a steady force in the SEC all season, dominating in dual meets and consistently placing near the top at invitationals. His throwing technique combines raw power with refined mechanics, and his understanding of the physics behind each throw has given him a competitive edge. He enters the USATF Championships with top-five marks in both of his events, and there’s a real sense within the program that this could be his breakout moment.
What separates Anderson from many of his peers is his cerebral approach to competition. A student of the sport, he watches film obsessively, takes detailed notes, and adjusts his mechanics with precision. His preparation is meticulous, and he has been working all season to peak at exactly the right time. With the championship now in sight, Anderson’s focus is razor-sharp. His goal is clear—not just to compete, but to win. The USATF Championships offer him the chance to take his talents beyond the collegiate level, and he’s determined to seize it.
The fourth Gamecock bound for the national stage is hurdler Maya Trenton, whose journey to this point is perhaps the most compelling of all. A graduate student with a background in both athletics and academics, Trenton has overcome long odds to return to elite form. After taking a gap year to recover from injuries and focus on her studies, she returned to the track with renewed purpose. Specializing in the 400m hurdles, she brings a blend of endurance, technique, and mental toughness that makes her a threat in any race.
Trenton’s return to competition has been marked by resilience and determination. Earlier this season, she posted a personal best that instantly reestablished her as a national contender. Her coach described it as “one of the most gratifying moments of the season,” not just because of the time, but because of everything it represented—a triumphant return to form, a statement of perseverance, and a signal that she was ready to compete at the highest level. For Trenton, this championship is both a culmination and a beginning. It’s a chance to close her collegiate career on her own terms, and perhaps, to take the first step toward an international track career.
Together, these four athletes represent the strength, diversity, and determination that define South Carolina’s track and field program. Their paths to this point have been varied, but they are united by a shared sense of purpose and pride in representing their university. Competing at the USATF Outdoor Championships is an honor in itself, but for these Gamecocks, it’s also a challenge—an opportunity to elevate their performance and join the ranks of the nation’s elite.
The coaching staff at South Carolina has played a pivotal role in preparing the athletes for this moment. Head coach Curtis Frye, a legend in collegiate track and field, has emphasized a balance between physical preparation and mental readiness. Under his leadership, the program has focused on fostering a culture of accountability, support, and excellence. It’s that culture that has helped shape athletes like Ward, Brooks, Anderson, and Trenton—not just as competitors, but as individuals capable of thriving under pressure.
As the USATF Championships get underway, all eyes will be on these four Gamecocks. For fans of South Carolina athletics, it’s a moment of pride and anticipation. For their competitors, it’s a warning: these athletes are not just participants, they are contenders. Each brings a different skill set, a different story, and a different reason to compete—but all share the goal of leaving Eugene, Oregon, with more than just experience. They want to bring home medals, recognition, and the chance to wear the red, white, and blue on the international stage.
The stakes are high, but so is the belief. Within the South Carolina track and field family, there is a quiet confidence—a sense that this week could be special. That confidence isn’t based on hype or speculation, but on results, preparation, and character. These four Gamecocks have trained for this, bled for this, and dreamed of this. Now, the spotlight is theirs.
No matter the outcome, their presence at the USATF Championships reinforces what South Carolina fans have known all along: that this program develops champions, cultivates leaders, and produces athletes ready for the biggest stages in the sport. Whether it’s the sprints, the hurdles, or the throws, the Gamecocks are ready to rise to the occasion. The nation is watching—and South Carolina is ready.
