June 26, 2009

EUGENE, Ore. – Sophomore Lakya Brookins advanced to the semifinal of the women’s 100m dash to lead a contingent of current and former Gamecocks in the first day of competition at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Brookins was one of two current Gamecocks to compete Thursday as the NCAA 60m champion ran 11.27 to place 16th in the preliminary round. She will compete in the semifinals Friday at 6:45 p.m. (EST) with the final scheduled for 9:50 p.m. (EST).

Senior Johnathan Hancock competed in the men’s 100m dash and placed 34th at 10.42.

A total of eight former Gamecocks competed in the first day of competition. In the women’s 400m hurdles preliminary, the Gamecocks took the top two spots as 2008 Olympian Tiffany Ross-Williams ran the fastest time of the day at 55.18 and Lashinda Demus came in second at 55.48.

Also competing in the 100m dash with Brookins was a trio of former Gamecocks in Shalonda Solomon, Mechelle Lewis and Miki Barber. Solomon placed sixth to advance at 11.01 while Lewis also advanced with a tie of 11.25 for 11th place. Barber ran 11.40 to finish 19th.

Two Gamecocks advanced in the men’s 100m dash. Beijing Olympians Leroy Dixon and Rodney Martin both qualified with Dixon placing 11th at 10.00 and Martin placing 13th at 10.09.

Natasha Hastings, the 2007 NCAA champion in the 400m dash, took second in the 400m preliminary at 52.16 to advance.