March 11, 2006

MOSCOW, Russia – Gamecock graduate Lisa Barber won a gold medal in the 60 meters on the opening day of the 2006 World Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Olimpiyskiy Sport Palace Complex in Moscow.

2006 men’s Visa Championship Series winner and USC graduate Terrence Trammell (Ellenwood, Ga.), overcame a stomach ailment to grab the bronze medal in 6.54, with Russian Andrey Yepishin setting a new national record with his silver medal winning performance of 6.52.

Reigning U.S. and Visa Championship Series champion Lisa Barber (Raleigh, N.C.) and 2005 World 100m champion Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.) had a tremendous battle in the women’s 60m final, with both finishing in the world-leading time of 7.01 seconds. Officials studied the photo and announced that Barber had barely out-leaned Williams at the finish to win the gold. With her victory, Barber joins Gail Devers as the only American woman ever to win world indoor 60m gold. Devers captured world indoor 60m titles in 1993, 1997 and 2004.

“I feel great! It was a great race and I’m glad that Lauryn and I finished 1-2 and I’m glad I had a PR,” said Barber, a member of USC’s 2002 NCAA championship team. “It’s over and I’m just happy I won. I saw Lauryn even though she was far away. I knew I had a good start and at the end of the race I just wanted to make sure I kept lifting and I did. It was great! This is very important. I’ve never won an individual title at a world indoors and I’m very excited.” For more information on Team USA at the 2006 World Indoor Championships in Moscow, visit www.usatf.org.