June 23, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. ? Already named to the District III Academic All-American team for men’s track and field, South Carolina senior Chris Steddum was named to the GTE Academic All-American Second Team nationally today. The last men’s athletes to receive this honor ? both being named to the First Team nationally ?were Mattias Ohlsson in 1997-98 and Keith Hall in 1998-99.

Steddum, a pole vaulter who graduated in May from USC and is training for the U.S. Olympic Trials, carries a 3.56 in Finance. He is a seven-time member of the Dean’s List, a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and a one-time member of the President’s List. He volunteers with Team Gamecocks with his activities including teaching computer skills to Hispanic high school students.

Steddum, a three-time All-American, finished fourth at the 2004 NCAA Indoor Championships and was fourth also at the 2003 Outdoor Championships.

He is a native of Houston, Texas and the son of Riddle and Nancy Steddum. His cousin is the Houston Astros Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens.