Sports
‘I feel like I deserve it’: JaMeesia Ford and Gamecock Track and Field ready for NCAA Nationals
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — South Carolina track and field is heading to Track Town, USA, aka Eugene, Oregon, thanks in large part to JaMeesia Ford. At the East Regionals, the Gamecocks punched 16 tickets to NCAA track nationals between their men (5) and women (11). “I think we’re prepared to do something very special out […]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — South Carolina track and field is heading to Track Town, USA, aka Eugene, Oregon, thanks in large part to JaMeesia Ford.
At the East Regionals, the Gamecocks punched 16 tickets to NCAA track nationals between their men (5) and women (11).
“I think we’re prepared to do something very special out there,” Head Coach Tim Hall said.
Many of those tickets, earned by sophomore JaMeesia Ford, who’s competing in the 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays.
“Well JaMeesia fits into the one percentile of athlete’s that you’re lucky to to be able to coach or be a part of throughout your coaching career,” Hall said.
At the SEC championship, ford won all four events.
“SEC that’s the hardest conference in college,” Ford said. “So I feel like going into nationals with the conferences all together it’s all a fast race. So I’ll say I’m prepared and I know what’s coming for me.”
Her goal for Nationals?
“Get all first place in all my events again,” Ford said. “I think I would be the first person to do that at Nationals.”
Ford, the 2025 Commissioner’s Trophy winner, is quickly becoming a household name in colligate track and field, but is getting used to the distractions of big time events.
“I don’t try and let that affect me because it is a great feeling just to be in that stadium seeing all the tracks fans and stuff,” Ford said. “The distractions? I try not to let it get to me because I get overwhelmed with all the celebrations and stuff. I have to remember to stay calm, keep going and yeah.”
Ford says their record setting relay teams have come a long way in a year.
“I feel like we’re more prepared, we are 10 times… 100 times better than we were last year,” Ford said. “We were such a young team last year now we’re getting more experience every time we run a race. We’re just ready.”
Coach Hall said Ford and the whole Gamecock team has been training for this moment all year.
“She’s ready, they’re ready for the task, Hall said. “We started that process in August. We’re ready.”
Ultimately, Ford and her team have one focus: winning.
“It would mean a lot to me just seeing all the hard work that I put in even from last year ash the Olympic trials, I feel like I deserve it. Me and my teammates as well,” Ford said.
“I’m looking forward to, having fun with my teammates and holding up a trophy.”