June 8, 2007
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In the third day of the NCAA Track and Field Championships senior Thomas Hilliard finished sixth in the 110m hurdles and later made the finals of tomorrow’s 400m hurdles. Also advancing to the finals of their signature events were Natasha Hastings (400m) and Krystal Cantey (400m hurdles).
“Chiquita has had a fantastic career and it will end tomorrow with the 4x400m relay. Krystal ran a very smart 400m hurdles race – she is one of the top freshmen in the country,” said USC head coach Curtis Frye. “Thomas is a champion – he’ tremendous. He’s had a great senior year and not only is he a good student, but he is also a wonderful leader. Jussi had a great year as well. To come to this meet and finish ninth after not qualifying last year is wonderful. He took 30 hours this semester and has a very high GPA – he is an excellent student-athlete.”
USC will also run in the finals of both the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays.
Hilliard, who won the NCAA East Region title and was sixth at the NCAA Indoor meet, ran a 13.83 to finish sixth and pick up his third All-American honors in his career. He ran a personal best 13.61 to advance to the finals on Wednesday. It is third NCAA All-American honors this season. The Gamecocks have scored in the 110m hurdles the past three years with junior redshirt Jason Richardson finishing third the last two years.
Hastings posted the top time of the day in the 400m by running a 51.25 to win her heat. She will be looking to win the indoor and outdoor NCAA titles after she set the NCAA record indoors.
Hilliard later was the runner-up in the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles, hitting the tape at 50.01. He is the only male athlete at the meet to do the 110m hurdles-400m hurdles double and final in both.
Jussi Heikkila was fourth in his heat of the 400m hurdles at 50.81 and missed by the finals by one spot. He finished ninth overall.
Krystal Cantey advanced to the finals of the 400m hurdles with the third fastest time of the day at 56.20. She came in seeded No. 5. Teammate Chiquita Martin was sixth in her heat at 58.48.
