Oct. 25, 2012
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the University of South Carolina Women’s NCAA Outdoor Track and Field title that they secured in Baton Rouge, La., on June 1, 2002. The NCAA Championship was the school’s first-ever team title in any sport for the Gamecocks. Thirteen members of the squad combined to earn 128 All-America honors over the course of their collegiate careers.
In the weeks leading up to the All-Sports Reunion, GamecocksOnline.com will feature members of the 2002 NCAA Championship team.
Mechelle Lewis Freeman
Class of 2002, Mass Communications. Also received her master’s degree in Mass Communications from South Carolina in 2004
Birthplace: Washington D.C.
Current Home: Atlanta, Ga.
Currently… works with the Coca Cola Worldwide Sports Team
Athletic Accomplishments:
As a Gamecock:
- 3-time All-America
After South Carolina:
- 2007 World Champion – 4x100m
- 2007 Pan American Games double Silver Medalist – 100m (Lewis and Miki Barber finished 1-2), 4x100m (USA)
- 2008 Summer Olympics (Beijing) – 4x100m (USA)
NCAA Memories
Event competed in at the NCAA’s:
- 4x100m prelims
Favorite NCAA Championships Memory: Winning the first national championship for South Carolina
Favorite South Carolina Memory: When we dressed up for Halloween for track practice.
South Carolina Memories
Why did you choose South Carolina? Because we (MeChelle and her twin sister Mikisha) had a great recruiting trip, and we knew there was a good recruiting class coming in. So we knew big things were going to happen at South Carolina and wanted to be a part of it.
What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Columbia? Getting back with that group of women, the talent and the dynamics of that group is just great.
Then | Now
Hobbies: Shopping | Shopping, reading
Favorite Book(s): Babysitters Club | The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favorite Movie: Five Heartbeats | Beaches
Greatest athletic thrill: Becoming an individual All-American | Becoming an Olympian
Catch up on all the Ready. Set. Rewind. features here
The members of the 2002 NCAA Championship team will be honored in Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 9 and 10 as a part of the All-Sports Reunion.