The South Carolina men’s track and field team wrapped up its regular season at home on Saturday, finishing the season ranked No. 14 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national rankings.
Last weekend at the Tiger Paw Invitational, the Gamecocks’ 4x400-meter relay team posted a record-breaking time of 3:00.86, the second fastest indoor 4x400-meter relay time in collegiate history and the fastest time in program history.
The quartet was compromised of sophomore Josiah Wrice, junior Jasauna Dennis, sophomore Devan Crumpton and freshman Andrew Salvodon. Each ran splits under 45.5 seconds. The unit was awarded the USTFCCCA National Athletes of the Week award for its accomplishment.
“Hard work, discipline and listening to their event coach,” head coach Tim Hall said. “(Assistant coach Kevin Brown) has done a tremendous job since the fall preparing these guys. They bought into the process, they understand the process, and they’re able to execute that process not only on the 4x4 but in their individual events.”
The Gamecocks will be two weeks removed from the Tiger Paw come the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships this week.
“That relay was second all-time, and we're primed and ready to do something more special,” Hall said. “Break that collegiate record.”
After posting a season best time of 46.07 in the individual 400 meters at Saturday’s USC Invite, Dennis echoed the same sentiments in regard to discipline.
“I’m just trying to get the best I can get before the championship,” Dennis said. “I think I’m more like a championship runner. When I get to the championship, I’m dialed in, I’m locked in, and I’m going to make that final, and I’m going to finish top three.”
Dennis is the lone upperclassman in the relay quartet, but he doesn’t necessarily feel like that positions him in a unique role within the unit.
“We don’t have a leader in the group,” Dennis said. “We’re all inspired by everyone in the group. We’re like family, like brothers. That’s why we did so good too, because we’re like one.”
His goals for the SEC Indoor Championships are straightforward.
“I have to make that 400 meter final. I want to win. I definitely want to win,” Dennis said. “And then we’ve got to break that collegiate record in the 4x4.”
The youngest of the quartet, Salvodon has contributed early in his career as a Gamecock. His 45.02 split in the anchor leg was the fastest among the four runners in the record-setting relay time.
“He was a super talent out of high school,” Hall said. “We’re just cultivating and building, and we’re super proud of this young man.”
In January 2025, Salvodon set a national high school record in the 500 meter with a time of 1:00.49, breaking the previous record by 0.76 seconds. He outpaced second-place finisher Quincy Wilson by two seconds. Wilson became the youngest American male track and field Olympian in history after qualifying for the 2024 Summer games.
In December 2024, Salvodon signed with the Gamecocks.
“I feel like it’s a great place to be,” Salvodon said. “I love it here. It’s a great place. I love my team. My teammates build me up and make me stronger.”
The freshman credits his development to a willingness to listen and grow from the advice of both coaches and teammates.
“They've helped me out with all sorts of pieces on the track,” Salvodon said. “I've kind of become like a sponge from everyone to become a better person on the team.”
Salvodon awaits the first SEC championships of his career at the end of the week in College Station, Texas.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous,” Salvodon said. “But I feel like I’m prepared ... We can’t cave under pressure. We’re here to do some big things.”
The Gamecocks have been built to withstand pressure all season, something Hall emphasized after the regular season finale.
"Going into championships, it's always a pressure situation, but we're poised for those situations," Hall said. "We're poised and ready, and these kids are ready to really continue to do something special."