USC Men and Women win SC State Meet

April 7, 2004

GAMECOCK MEN AND WOMEN WIN THE SC STATE MEET CAROLINA’S DEMUS RUNS WORLD LEADER IN THE 400M HURDLES — ALREADY HOLDS USA BEST IN THE 400M

Columbia, SC – South Carolina junior Lashinda Demus had a monster day today in the South Carolina State Meet at Weems Baskin Track. Demus ran a world-leading time to win the 400m hurdles – clocking a stadium record 54.87. She holds the 2004 world leader by almost a half a second. Demus also won the 100m hurdles with a personal best time of 13.14.

USC won both sides of the South Carolina State meet. The women scored 210 1/2 points in the scored meet, with the men scoring 175 points. USC’s women won nine events, with the men winning six events. All told there were seven NCAA regional qualifiers for the USC women and two for the USC men.

“I have been eating my Wheaties,” said Demus with a smile. “I felt really good today. I’m pleased.”

Last week Demus clocked the fastest time in the country in the 400m with a time of 51.70. Her own personal best in the 400m hurdles is 54.70 – run in 2002 at the NCAA Championships when she won the NCAA title as a freshman.

Demus (13.14), Ronnetta Alexander (13.55), Chiquita Martin (13.92) went 1-2-3 in the 100m hurdles with all three picking up NCAA Regional qualifying marks.

Shevon Stoddart was second in the 400m hurdles with a personal best of 57.45, a regional qualifying mark.

Tawana Watkins ran a personal best 2:09.68 to win the 800m and qualify for NCAA Regionals.

USC won both discus’ with both qualifying for the NCAA Regional — Brook Antonio won the men’s discus at 165′ 5 and Precious Akins won with a toss of 163′ 5.

USC won the javelin on both sides with Scott Alsup throwing 194’3 to win the women’s and Katie Desin posting her first career win, hitting 124′ 11. USC was also victorious in the women’s shot put, with India Odom winning with a put of 48′ 7 1/2.

USC’s men won the 4x100m relay and the women won the 4x400m relay.

Event winners for USC’s men:

Name Event Time/Mark

Scott Alsup javelin 194′ 3

4x100m relay 41.59

Brook Antonio discus 165′ 5*

Adrian Durant 100m 10.57

Fred Townsend 110m hurdles 14.02*

Ricky Johnson 800m 2:00.72*

Event winners for USC’s women:

Name Event Time/Mark

Lashinda Demus 100m hurdles 13.14*