June 27, 2012
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By Miquel Jacobs
Assistant Media Relations Director
COLUMBIA, S.C. -Former Gamecock Jason Richardson is one of four nominees announced in the “Best Track and Field Athlete” category for the 2012 ESPYs presented by Capital One. Fan voting has now begun online, with the track and field category accessed at: “http://espn.go.com/espys/voting?vote=8081607〈=en”.
Colin Cowherd and Charissa Thompson will host The ESPY Nomination Special on Wednesday, June 27, at 11 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2. Along with special guest Rob Riggle, they will debate and discuss this year’s categories and nominees.
Voting is underway at ESPN.com/ESPYS and will close when the live show starts Wednesday, July 11, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPNHD.
Richardson, an NCAA Champion and four-time SEC Champion while at South Carolina, captured gold in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu. Richardson was a six-time All-American as a Gamecock, with a highlight in the 2008 season when he completed the outdoor hat trick by winning the SEC, NCAA East Region and NCAA Championship in the 110-meter hurdles. He also was the NCAA Indoor runner-up in the 60-meter hurdles that year.
The ESPYS gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The 2012 ESPYS will recognize both sport-specific achievements, such as “Best MLB Player” and “Best WNBA Player,” as well as best-in-sport winners, such as “Best Team” or “Best Female Athlete” that pit nominees from different sports against each other. The ESPYS honor ESPN’s commitment to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a partnership launched with the late Jim Valvano at the inaugural ESPYs in 1993.
2012 ESPYs Nominees – Best Track and Field Athlete
• Walter Dix
• Carmelita Jeter
• Jason Richardson
• Christian Taylor