Jan. 7, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The year 2008 was a good one for South Carolina Gamecocks on the track and field circuit as nine Gamecocks advanced to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, six brought home medals at the World Junior Championships and a group of current and former student-athletes continued to lead the world in their respective events, as noted by Track & Field News magazine.

The February edition of Track & Field News released its 62nd annual World Rankings based on overall performance during the 2008 season, and more than a few Gamecocks either cracked the top 10 on the overall list or posted times that ranked in the top 10 worldwide last year.

On the men’s side, Olympians Rodney Martin and Leroy Dixon both cracked the United States rankings in the 100m with Martin coming in at fifth and Dixon at seventh. Martin, whose top time in the 100m last year was eighth in the world at 9.95, also ran the fourth fastest time in the world in the 200m at 19.99, finishing the season ranked sixth in the United States in the event.

In the 110m hurdles, historically a strong event for Coach Curtis Frye’s current and former student-athletes, two-time Olympic silver medalist Terrence Trammell finished the season ranked third in the world despite an injury that ended his season – and bid for a third Olympic medal – short. However, Trammell’s top time of 13.08 was third best in the world last year to help him remain in the rankings. Gamecock senior Jason Richardson finished seventh in the United States as the highest collegiate to make the national list. The SEC, NCAA East Region and NCAA Outdoor champion in the event, Richardson’s top time of 13.21 set at the NCAA East Region Championships was the eighth best time in the world last year.

Gamecock sophomore Johnny Dutch nearly made the Olympic Games in his first try, placing fifth in the 400m hurdles at the US Olympic Trials at 48.52, the ninth fastest time in the world last year. Dutch also took silver at the World Junior Championships, the USA Junior Nationals and the SEC Outdoor Championships in the event.

On the women’s side, Olympian Mechelle Lewis cracked the United States ranking in the 100m at No. 9 and Lisa Barber came in at No. 10. Lewis’s top time of 10.97 was eighth best in the world last year while Barber had a top time of 11.07. Former Gamecocks Shalonda Solomon (11.16) and Olympic medalist Aleen Bailey (11.20) also cracked the world top 25 top times list. Solomon also finished her first season as a professional ranked eighth in the United States in the 200m with a top time of 22.48 ran at the US Olympic Trials.

Olympian and gold medalist Natasha Hastings also had a strong first year as a professional, finishing the season ranked fifth in the United States in the 400m with a top time of 50.82. Hastings earned gold as a member of the United States 4×400 relay team in Beijing.

Olympian Tiffany Ross-Williams earned her first ticket to the Olympic Games in the 100m hurdles with a strong season that led to her being ranked fifth in the world. She had a top time of 53.54, ran at the Monaco Grand Prix for a second place finish prior to competing in the Olympic Games. Also ranked second in the United States, Ross-Williams won the US Olympic Trials at 54.03 and finished eighth at the Olympic Games. Along with Ross-Williams, two-time Olympian Shevon Stoddart ran a top 15 time in the event at 54.71 en route to her second consecutive Olympic Games appearance.

In the long jump, Olympian Chelsea Hammond finished the season ranked seventh in the world. Hammond jumped 6.79m (22-3 ½) to place fourth at her first Olympic Games. The Jamaican national champion, Hammond only competed in five events during the year, but excluding her spectacular fourth place finish in Beijing, Hammond never placed lower than third and claimed two victories.