June 11, 2004

AUSTIN, Texas – Winning their respective heats, USC’s Lasinda Demus and Shevon Stoddart both advanced to tomorrow night’s 400m hurdles finals, while earlier in the evening the women’s 4x100m relay finished fourth, collecting All-American honors. The meet runs through tomorrow with USC collecting six All-American honors thus far.

The women’s 4x100m relay, made up of Ronetta Alexander, Khalilah Carpenter, Alexis Joyce and Erica Whipple, held off SEC runner-up Arkansas to finish fourth with a time of 43.83. The time is 10th best in school history.

“They did an incredible job on the relay – they kept the stick moving,” said USC Head Coach Curtis Frye. “Their passes were crisp; they did everything they needed to to get to the finish line.”

Demus ran a 55.62 to win her heat of the 400m hurdles. She enters the meet with the second fastest time at 54.50. Teammate Shevon Stoddart also won her heat with a time of 57.28. She came in the meet with the fourth-fastest time.

“They both won their heats – we are in good shape in the 400m hurdles,” said Frye.

Stephanie Smith finished third in her heat of the 400m with a time of 53.80. She did not advance to the finals and finished 13th overall.

Summerville’s Precious Akins was 17th in the women’s discus, throwing 166′ 6 in the second flight. The freshman, who will next compete in the USA Junior Championships, has a personal best of 174′ 6. She threw the PR when she finished as the runner-up at the NCAA East Region. The throw stands as the second best throw in school history.

USC Results from Friday

Women’s 4x100m relay – finished fourth at 43.80

Women’s 400m Hurdles Semis
Lashinda Demus – 55.62 – won heat – advanced to finals
Shevon Stoddart – 57.28 – won heat – advanced to finals

Women’s 400m
Stephanie Smith – 53.30 – third in heat – did not advance

Women’s Discus
Precious Akins – 166′ 6 – 17th overall