Jan. 20, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina sprinter Nadonnia Rodrigues was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman Runner of the Week after a spectacular collegiate debut that included winning the 400m dash at the deeply talented Kentucky Invitational.
Rodrigues (Brooklyn, N.Y.) ran a provisional time of 53.52 to win the 400m dash in her first collegiate race. Her time now ranks first in the SEC and is also towards the top nationally. The top high school athlete last year after running the fourth fastest time in U.S. history, Rodrigues helped pace the Gamecocks in the season opener by also running the anchor leg of the women’s 4x400m relay team that won the event at 3:40.56.
South Carolina returns to action this Saturday when both teams compete at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Gainesville, Fla.
