Jan. 20, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Seven South Carolina track and field athletes are among Trackwire’s first “Dandy Dozen” individual event rankings. The group includes three top-five ranked athletes among the four men and three women listed.

On the women’s side, Erica Whipple is the only USC athlete ranked in two different events, No. 5 in the 200m and No. 11 in the 60m. Carolina’s freshmen sensations Stephanie Smith and Ronnetta Alexander each debuted in the rankings. Smith is listed at No. 6 in the 400m and Alexander is ranked sixth in the 60m hurdles.

For the men, Otis Harris and Jonathan Fortenberry check in at No. 2 and No. 8 in the 400m list. Tony Allmond is listed at No. 3 in the long jump while Fred Townsend rounds out the individual rankings at No. 7 in the heptathlon.

The Gamecock 4×400 relay teams are also ranked among the nation’s best. USC’s women are ranked sixth and the men are ninth. In the team poll, USC’s men hold the No. 12 ranking while the women are listed as No. 18.

Carolina has competed in two meets in 2004 and resumes action this weekend at the SEC Invitational in Gainesville, Fla.