Oct. 31, 2012
This year marks the tenth 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-American 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.
Mikele “Miki” Barber
Class of 2003, Journalism
Birthplace: Montclair, N.J.
Current Home: Los Angeles, CA
Currently…still running track competitively and transitioning into a interior design career.
Athletic Accomplishments:
As a Gamecock:
- 20-time All-American
- 5-time NCAA Champion
- 2000 Indoor – 200m (23.06)
- 2000 Outdoor – 400m (51.14)
- 2000 Outdoor 4x400m (L. Barber, Washington, Ellakisha Williamson, M. Barber) (3:28.64, seventh fastest team in school history)
- 2001 Indoor – 4x400m (Bass, M. Barber, Sheneka Griffin, Washington) (3:30.08)
- 2002 Outdoor – 4x100m (Whipple, Washington, M. Barber, Bailey) (43.12, Fourth fastest team in Gamecock history)
- 2000 National Outdoor Athlete of the Year
- 2001 Sports Illustrated Track & Field Athlete of the Year
With Team USA:
- 2000 Sydney Olympics – 4x400m (USA) – part of the pool, did not compete
- 2001 USA Outdoor Championships – 100m(3rd)
- 2007 – World Championships – 4x100m gold medalist (USA)
- 2007 – Pan American Games – 100m gold medalist
- 2009 Pan American Games – 100m gold medalist, 4x100m (silver medalist)
NCAA Memories
Event competed in at the NCAA’s:
- 4x100m (Whipple, Washington, M. Barber, Bailey) (43.12, Fourth fastest team in Gamecock history)
Favorite NCAA Championships Memory: Her sister (Lisa Barber) coming in 2nd in the 400m (when she had not trained and wasn’t supposed to score. Lisa also hit a new personal record in the race by almost a second and a half.)
South Carolina Memories
Favorite South Carolina Memory: Russell House
Why did you choose South Carolina? Coach Frye was like a father figure, the people…the campus was nice but the people and Coach Frye sealed the deal. It was very hospitable and safe.
What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Columbia? Seeing old friends, coaches since I hasn’t been back since 2006
Then| Now
Hobbies: Shopping, pottery | Interior design, painting, cooking, anything outdoors
Biggest Influence: Parents | Parents
Career Goal(s): To be successful in whatever I do | World Champion, Gold medalist
Greatest athletic thrill: Winning NCAA Championships in the 400m | World Champion gold medalists in 2007 in the 4x100m
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.
