June 24, 2007

In a matter of about 40 minutes, two Gamecock graduates captured hurdles titles in the final day of the USA Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., and a third made the World Championship team as well by winning the bronze medal in the 200m.

“It’s a great day to be a Gamecock!,” said USC Head Coach Curtis Frye – who no longer trains the four.

Among the most decorated American hurdlers in history, with two Olympic silver medals and a pair of World Championships silvers as well, South Carolina graduate and USC Hall of Fame member (2006) Terrence Trammell won his first career U.S. crown in the 110m hurdles in 13.08, leading from start to finish.

Trammell, who came into the meet with an injured leg, was just hoping to make the team and then rest for a bit prior to the World Championships in Japan in August. He won his semi-final heat with a time of 13.26.

“I just wanted to make sure I had a really good start and wanted to be mechanically sound through the tape,” said Trammell. “My confidence just built and built with every round. The goal was to make the team, but winning it is an added bonus.”

Three years after giving birth to a daughter, Gamecock graduate Tiffany (Ross-)Williams put her name atop the 2007 women’s 400m hurdles world list, leading the race from early on and winning in a personal-best time of 53.28. Williams’ performance was worth 1,227 points using IAAF scoring tables and put her in first for the women’s Visa Championship. In addition, former All-American Rodney Martin won the bronze medal in the 200m, hitting the tape at 20.18 after winning his semi-final heat at 20.35. Martin qualifies for the World Championship with the third place finish and will also be added to the USA’s 4x100m relay pool.

“He (champion Tyson Gay) was so high in the lane (coming off the curve), I didn’t really get to see him. I want to win (World Championship),” said Martin.

Miki Barber, sixth in the 100m finals on Friday, also finished sixth in the finals of the 200m with a time of 22.77. She had finished third in her heat of the semi-finals with a time of 22.92 earlier in the day. She will go to the World Championships as a member of the USA’s 4x100m relay pool.