June 1, 2002
Baton Rouge, LA – With a huge prize on the line, the South Carolina track and field teams will compete today, Saturday, June 1, in the final day of the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. USC’s men and women are both in second place entering the last competition.
Remember this, if USC’s women were to win it would the University’s first NCAA title in any sport. The women’s highest finish has been fourth in 2001. The men’s highest finish was sixth in 1999. Both teams arrive back in Columbia on Sunday night, June 2 at 7:50 pm.
The following is a list of who will compete in the meet’s final day.
Saturday – All Finals
Women’s Triple Jump – 6:30 pm
Antoinette Wilks – comes into the competition ranked in the 21st position … Wilks is a fighter who will look to make the finals after finishing as the runner-up at the SEC Championships two weeks ago.
Women’s 100m Hurdles – 7:10 pm
Tiffany Ross – the freshmen was the runner-up in the 400m hurdles yesterday … she was the SEC runner-up two weeks ago and brings in a personal best of 13.30
Men’s 400m – 7:20 pm
Otis Harris – the sophomore enters the finals seeded No. 8 … was fifth at the SEC meet two weeks ago and finished sixth indoors in 2001 … Harris will also run a leg of the 4x400m relay later in the evening.
Women’s 400m – 7:30 pm
Demetria Washington – enters the race with the fastest time of the group … Was the 2001 NCAA champion and has finished as the runner-up at the NCAA Outdoor meet in 2001 and the NCAA Indoor Meet in 2002 … was the SEC runner-up to Lashinda Demus at the SEC meet … will also run a leg of the women’s 4x400m relay later in the evening.
Lashinda Demus – enters the race seeded No. 3 … was the SEC champion two weeks ago … set the World Junior record last night in the 400m hurdles, winning her first NCAA individual title … will also run a leg of the women’s 4x400m relay later in the evening.
Lisa Barber – enters the race seeded No. 5 … ran a personal best 52.01 to make the finals … goal is to run a 51. race today … was sixth last year at the USA Track and Field Championships.
Women’s 200m – 8:30 pm
Aleen Bailey – enters the race seeded No. 3 … was the SEC runner-up two weeks ago … was the Jamician National Champion in 2001 … was a member of USC’s NCAA champion 4x100m relay last night, running the anchor leg.
Lisa Barber – enters the race seeded No. 5 … will be doing the extremely difficult 200m-400m double, having run the 400m just one hour before … was a member of USC’s NCAA champion 4x100m relay last night, running the third leg.
Men’s 4x400m relay – 9:25 pm
Men’s team enters the race in the eighth position … Did not qualify for the outdoor finals in 2001, but indoors, have been third the past two NCAA meets … Probably line-up: James Law, Otikile Lekote, Otis Harris and Jon Fortenberry.
Women’s 4x400m relay – 9:35 pm
Women’s team enters the finals seeded No. 4 but set the collegiate record in April at 3:26.98 … was third in the race in 2001 after winning it in 2000 … Coach Frye hopes the NCAA team title comes down to this race … Probable line-up: Lisa Barber, Tiffany Ross, Lashinda Demus and Demetria Washington. Those ready to step in include Shevon Stoddart and Tacita Bass.
