Aug. 26, 2007
Contct: Michelle Schmitt 803-777-7872
Osaka, Japan – If you can’t wait until next week to see the Gamecocks compete here in Columbia, then turn on your TV the next eight days and watch eight former Gamecocks (three men, five women), including 2007 National Track Athlete of the Year Natasha Hastings, compete for the USA at the World Track and Field Championships in Osaka, Japan. The meet can be seen through Sept. 2 on both NBC and Versus (check local listings and see below for athletes next competitions).
“I am so proud to be in Japan surrounded by so many former Gamecocks,” said USC head coach Curtis Frye. “All but one on the USA team are graduates and already one – Terrence Trammell – has been inducted into the USC Hall of Fame. We wish them all the best of luck.”
The USA men’s roster includes former Gamecocks’ Rodney Martin (200m, 4x100m relay pool), Terrence Trammell (110m hurdles) and Leroy Dixon (4x100m relay pool). The USA women’s roster includes former Gamecocks’ Mechelle Lewis (100m, 4x100m relay pool), Tiffany Williams (400m hurdles), Hastings (400m, 4x400m relay pool), Miki Barber (4x100m relay pool) and Lisa Barber (4x400m relay pool).
On the second day of competition 11-time All-American Natasha Hastings – who turned professional this summer after being named the National Track Athlete of the Year and the SEC Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year after winning three NCAA this past season for USC – finished third in her heat of the 400m to advance to the semi-finals with a time of 51.07.
Former NCAA champion Mechelle Lewis advanced to the semi-finals of the 100m, running an 11.25. She advanced to the second round by winning her heat at 11.16 in the first round.
“I got through and that is the main thing. I wanted to finish in the top four to advance and I did. I am just coming to do what I have to do to advance and do the best to represent the USA,” said Mechelle Lewis as she advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s 100m.
Former Gamecock Men on USA Roster
200m- will compete in first round Tues., Aug. 28
Rodney Martin (Los Angeles, CA)
110m Hurdles- will compete in first round Wed., Aug. 29
Terrence Trammell (Ellenwood, GA)?
4x100m Relay Pool?
Leroy Dixon (Los Angeles, CA)
Former Gamecock Women on USA Roster
100m- will compete next on Mon., Aug. 27
Mechelle Lewis (Columbia, SC)
400m- will compete next on Mon., Aug. 27
Natasha Hastings (Columbia, SC)
400m Hurdles- will compete in first round Mon., Aug. 27
Tiffany Williams (Columbia, SC)
4x100m Relay Pool
Mechelle Lewis (Columbia, SC)
Miki Barber (Raleigh, NC)
4x400m Relay Pool
Natasha Hastings (Columbia, SC)
Lisa Barber (Raleigh, NC)
