July 22, 2004

Competing in Grosseto, Italy, rising Gamecock sophomore Ronnetta Alexander won the 100m hurdles at the World Junior Track and Field Championships, while rising sophomore Stephanie Smith was a part of the new world junior record, running the third leg of the 4x400m relay that won gold for the USA.

“We are very proud of the way both Ronnetta and Stephanie represented both USC and the USA,” said USC Head Coach Curtis Frye. Frye is an assistant coach with the USA women’s Olympic team. “Lashinda Demus competed on the USA’s World Junior team two years ago and is now a member of the USA team headed to Athens so these are big shoes to fill for Ronnetta and Stephanie, but they are certainly capable of bigger and better things during their careers at USC. We are excited they are bringing medals home to Columbia and happy they were able to participate in such a wonderful event.”

Alexander won the 100m hurdles final in the time of 13.28. Alexander was an All-American outdoors with USC’s 4x100m relay team when the Gamecocks finished fifth.

Smith, a four-time All-American at USC in her freshman campaign, helped the USA best Germany’s 16-year old record in the 4x400m relay – bringing the baton across in 3:27.60. Smith ran a leg of USC’s 4x400m relay that finished as the runner-up at the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Championships and won the Penn Relays event as well.