Jan. 19, 2003

Blacksburg, Va. – South Carolina Senior Demetria Washington currently holds the fastest time in the country for the 400-meter dash, as she ran an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 53.40 at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Saturday. In her first meet of the season, senior Miki Barber made her presence known as she won the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.35, just .03 shy of tying the USC record of 7.32.

Aleen Bailey was not far behind Barber as she finished second in the 60m with a time of 7.38. In the 200m, Bailey finished second and improved her season best with an automatic qualifying time of 23.49.

For the men, Otukile Lekote won his second straight 800m race as he ran a provisional qualifying time of 1:49.50. The Gamecocks also produced a strong finish in the 400m as senior Otis Harris finished second (47.70), followed by freshman Kenneth Ferguson (4.81) and sophomore Jonathan Fortenberry (47.84).

Junior Chris Steddum jumped 17-3/4 in the pole vault for a second place finish, while Greig Cryer jumped 50-9 1/4 in the triple jump, also grabbing second.

In the pentathlon, Antoinette Wilks scored 4,042 points to claim the title and Chelsea Hammond scored 3,795 to finish third. Fred Townsend also finished third for the men with a total of 3,917 points.

South Carolina also claimed both 4X400m relay titles as the women finished with a time of 3:38.80 and the men posted 3:10.94.

The Gamecocks continue action next week when they travel to Lexington, Ky. for an SEC Quad meet, Feb. 25.