COLUMBIA, S.C. – Jordan Williams ran the nation's fourth fastest 400 meters of the 2019-20 indoor season while Marc McCoy posted the 24^th longest triple jump to highlight Bethune-Cookman's effort at the Gamecock Opener this weekend at the University of South Carolina.

Williams, a senior, clocked a 46.94. His overall best is a 45.60 at last year's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor championship.

Three other runners across the country ran the event under 47 seconds over the weekend – Micaiah Harris of Texas (46.61), Taj Burgess of Rutgers (46.63) and Noah Williams of Akron (46.98). North Carolina A&T's Randolph Ross ran the fastest time in the world this season with a 45.85 at the Jim Green Invitational on January 10.

McCoy, also a senior, put himself among the nation's elite with a PR triple jump of 50' 8 ¾."  He eclipsed his previous outdoor best of 48'3 ¼" and indoor best of 47'10 ¼"

"It was an awesome weekend for both Jordan and Marc," said BCU Head Coach Donald Cooper. "They do a an amazing job of rising to the level of the competition. Both continue to gain great momentum as the indoor season unfolds. I'm proud of their persistent effort in practice and it's a joy to see it transition into expected performances in competition."

The top 16 times in the nation advance to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships March 13-14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Monae Nichols also had a strong triple jump weekend, winning the Invite with a leap of 19'8"

Other highlights from the weekend:

• Gabrielle Collins ran an 8.71 60 hurdles to move into the MEAC top five.
• DeMauri Little's 16:54.08 in the 5000 meter – the seventh fastest MEAC time this season.
• Freshman My'Khiyah Williams cleared 5'5" in the high jump, fifth best in the MEAC.
• JaQuaveon Beachem posted a 47' 1/4" triple jump.
• Cameron Berryhill's fastest 800 of the season (1:55.78) moved him into fourth the conference/

BCU returns to Birmingham, Ala., on Sunday  for the KMS Invite.