May 5, 2006
Columbia, SC – The University of South Carolina track and field team, which posted one of its most successful seasons in the classroom during the Fall, 2005 semester, will congratulate eight student-athletes this weekend as they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. In addition, USC track and field will look forward to five more graduating in August.
Both teams moved up in the rankings this week. The women’s team is moved up to No. 9 and the men moved up to No. 20 in the latest trackwire.com poll. Both teams will travel to Clemson on Sat., May 6 for a final tune-up prior to the SEC Championships next weekend in Fayetteville, Ark.
The May graduates include former NCAA champion Aleen Bailey, former All-American Alexis Joyce, Brook Antonio, Greg Royster, All-American Tawana Watkins, Steve Mance, Thomas Hilliard and manager Gershwyn Caruth. The August graduates include All-American Greig Cryer (Psychology), Monica Bozenski (Criminal Justice), Shay Shelton (Sports Management), All-American Cheryl Terrio (Sports Management) and four-time All-American Tony Allmond (Sociology).
In addition, Keri Groover graduated in May, 2005 and has been working on graduate work. She received her degree in Sports and Entertainment Management.
Bailey, a two-time NCAA champion in the 100m and 200m who also won a gold medal with Jamaica’s 4x100m relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics, will graduate with a degree in Sociology. Joyce, who finished her eligibility last season, will graduate with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management.
USC’s manager, Gershwyn Caruth, will leave with USC with a degree in Mathematics, compiling 3.81 GPA (prior to the spring). Caruth has been a member of the President’s list three times (Fall, 2003 and ’05, Spring 2004) and the Dean’s List once (Fall, 2004). He has received the following awards this year: US Air Force Reserve OTC Award; Distinguished graduate: ROTC Air Force; Lt. Swanger Leadership award; Fleet Foot Wasserman award (fastest mile and half in ROTC class); ROTC Cadet of Senior Class; and the highest GPA of his ROTC class.
Antonio, a Criminal Justice major who also played football for the Gamecocks, has been a member of the Dean’s List five times including the Fall of 2002, ’03 and ’04 semesters and the Spring of 2004 and 05.
Royster was a member of the Dean’s list the Fall of 2002 and is a double major (Management and Marketing) with a minor in Economics.
A two-time All-American, Watkins will finish with a degree in African-American Studies.
Mance, who had a 3.8 GPA prior to the Spring semester, will graduate with a double degree in Economics and Political Science. He has been a member of the President’s List (4.0 GPA) twice (Fall 2004 and Fall 2002) and the Dean’s List five times (Fall 2003, 05 and Spring 2003, 04 and 05). Mance is a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon.
Hilliard, a double major in Accounting and Marketing who is a regional qualifier outdoors, has been a member of the Dean’s List four times (Fall, 2002, 03 and 05, Spring 2003).
