April 28, 2005
Columbia, S.C. – USC’s 2005 Female Athlete of the Year, Shevon Stoddart talks about heading to the 111th Penn Relays this week in Philadelphia, Pa. Senior Stoddart is an eight-time All-American and was a 2004 Olympian for her native country of Jamaica. She went to Uniondale High School in Uniondale, N.Y. before making the decision to come to the University of South Carolina. During her freshman year she was a member of the 2002 Outdoor National Championship team. Stoddart is a 2005 team captain and earned her most recent All-American honors at the 2005 NCAA Indoor Championship with a fourth-place finish in the 400m and as a member 4x400m relay team that won the national title.
Q. How many years have you participated in the Penn Relays?
A. This is my eighth Penn Relays. I’ve been going since ninth grade.
Q. Having been before, what is it about the Penn Relays do you look forward to and or what excites you the most?
A. The crowd. My family. They all come up to the relays. A lot of Jamaican high schools come up and I like to see that. There are a lot of professional and collegiate athletes competes, as well as high school teams. I think it’s a great meet. I get to see my old high school team and my old coaches when I go back and I look forward to that.
Q. How many titles have won at the Penn Relays over the years?
A. I would say at least five since I’ve been going in college. In high school probably at least three or four.
Q. What does it take to be successful at the Penn Relays?
A. The Penn Relays to me is a fun meet. It’s a meet where you can get out there and run. There are a lot of people there. They’re cheering and it’s a good atmosphere. So, just get out there, have fun, stay focused and do your best.
Q. With this being your senior year, does it make this year’s meet any different for you?
A. Not really. It really doesn’t. I’m just glad to go back with it being my senior year and hopefully I’ll go back after I graduate as a pro athlete.
Q. In what events will you be competing?
A. The 4x400m relay, the shuttle hurdle relay and the 400m hurdles.
Q. Who is your biggest competition at the Penn Relays?
A. There are a lot of good schools out right now. Everyone there is going to be a factor. We’re just going to do our best.
Q. What are your expectations for the Gamecocks at Penn?
A. For us to win all the relays-the shuttle hurdle relay, 4×400, 4×200, 4×100 and possibly the sprint medley.
Q. What should fans expect to see from the Gamecocks this weekend?
A. They should see the Gamecocks getting out there, having fun, doing the best we can and bringing back the gold for our school.
