April 25, 2003
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – South Carolina’s second day of competition at the Penn Relays was highlighted by a world-record performance by the men’s shuttle hurdles set in front of 35,003 fans at the historic Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania.
The Gamecocks won the College Men’s Shuttle Hurdles Championship of America as USC’s quartet of Corey Taylor, Fred Townsend, Charles Ryan and Kenneth Ferguson ran an American and World-Record time of 53.94. It eclipsed the previous collegiate record of 54.40 set by the 1981 Tennessee team that featured Willie Gault on the anchor leg and surpassing the world record previously held by a foursome that featured current Carolina Volunteer Assistant Coach Allen Johnson, set in 1999.
“Our men were great today,” said Carolina Head Coach Curtis Frye. “It’s not that we ran a record, it’s who ran the record and who previously held the record. Our kids, a bunch of college kids, ran great and we beat a time set by Allen Johnson, Terry Keese, Duane Ross, and Steve Brown. They also beat the collegiate mark set by Tennessee. For me, who favors the hurdles, it’s fantastic. I never anticipated us setting the record.”
On the women’s side, the Carolina group of Lashinda Demus, Antoinette Wilks, Shevon Stoddart and Tiffany Ross placed second in the event to LSU with a time of 53.83 on the second attempt. That heat ran initially, but misplaced hurdles on the track by the Penn Relays hurdle crew caused the race to be rerun as numerous teams were unable to finish the race. Gamecock sophomore and All-American Lashinda Demus ran under a misplaced hurdle, which caused her to suffer a strained arm, but still ran in the second running of the heat.
The women’s 4x400m relay team is aiming for their fourth straight title at the Penn Relays Saturday. USC’s 4×200 women’s relay team won its heat to advance to Saturday’s championship round.
Finishing eighth, the foursome of Antoinette Wilks, Chelsea Hammond, Tawana Watkins, and Boikhutso Ramomene ran 3:57.22 in the women’s sprint medley relay.
On the men’s side, South Carolina, anchored by seven-time All-American Otukile Lekote, finished a close runner-up to Tennessee, running a time of 3:14.79.
In the men’s pole vault, Greg Royster placed fifth with a height of 15′ 7″. Teammates Chris Steddum and Jared Farabee, a Pennsylvania native, are scheduled to compete in the College Men’s Pole Vault Championship Saturday.
Ferguson (13.86) and Corey Taylor (13.92) each finished second in their respective 110m hurdle heats.
In the women’s triple jump, Kemesha Whitmire finished 12th with a jump of 38′ 4.25″.
Greig Cryer placed third in the long jump with a NCAA qualifying mark of 24′ 6.25″.
Adam Bishop finished seventh in the men’s shot put championship with a qualifying mark of 53′ 11″.
Complete results, schedules and other information on the Penn Relays can be found online at thepennrelays.com. Events will be televised live Saturday on NBC from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT, featuring the USA vs. The World Relays which will include USC alum and Olympic Silver Medalist Terrance Trammel.
USC’s Friday Penn Relays Results
Women's 4x200 Relay: USC (1:33.01) advanced to finalMen's 4x100 Relay: USC (41.17), third in heat, did not advance to finalMen's Pole Vault: 5. Royster (15'7)Women's Triple Jump: 12. Whitmire (38'4.25)Men's Shot Put: 7. Bishop (53'11)Women's 100m Hurdles: Ross (13.72)Men's 110m Hurdles: Ferguson (13.86), Taylor (13.92), Ryan (14.12)Men's Shuttle Hurdle Relay: 1. USC (53.94) ***NEW WORLD RECORD***Women's Shuttle Hurdle Relay: 2. USC (53.83)Men's Long Jump: 3. Cryer (24' 6.25"), 14. Jackamonis (22' 5")Men's 4x400m Relay: 1. USC (3:06.31)Women's Sprint Medley Relay: 8. USC (3:57.22)Men's Sprint Medley Relay: 2. USC (3:14.79)
