April 22, 2004

Junior Shevon Stoddart has gotten South Carolina off to a quick start at the prestigious Penn Relays, finishing as the runner-up in the 400m hurdles to NCAA champion Alison Beckford (Rice). Stoddart ran a personal best by more than a second, finishing at 56.40 to Rice’s 56.12.

Also finishing in the top 10 for USC and posting NCAA qualifying marks were Tawana Watkins, who was eighth at 58.96 and Chiquta Martin, who was ninth with a one second PR, hitting 59.65.

Coach Frye was excited about the start: “Shevon did an excellent job, she ran a great race – very calm,” said Frye.

Lashinda Demus will run her first sprint relay of her career this afternoon when she joins her three teammates, Alexis Joyce, Khalilah Carpenter and Erica Whipple in the prelims of the 4x100m relay.

Penn Relays runs through Saturday.