Aug. 11, 2013
MOSCOW – Two former Gamecocks advanced at the 2013 IAAF World Championships on Sunday at Luzhniki Stadium. Natasha Hastings earned a spot in the women’s 400-meter dash finals and Jason Richardson moved on to the 110-meter hurdle semifinals.
Hastings became the first Gamecock to move into an event final at this year’s event. The USA outdoor champion matched her season best at 49.94 in the second heat of the 400-meter dash semifinals to earn an automatic entry. American Francena McCorory joins Hastings in tomorrow’s final. Universal Sports Network will have live coverage of the 400-meter dash finals tomorrow at 1:15 p.m.
Starting the road to defend his 2011 world championship, Richardson clocked in at 13.33, to win his heat in the 110-meter hurdles. The Olympic silver medalist posted the fifth-fastest time overall and was one of four Americans to earn spots in tomorrow’s semifinals. All four US athletes won their heats, including David Oliver who turned in the fastest qualifying time at 13.05. South Carolina head coach Curtis Frye is overseeing the sprint and hurdle group for Team USA at the championships.
The semifinals and finals of the 110-meter hurdles are scheduled for tomorrow. The semifinals are slated for 11:05 a.m. ET. Should Richardson advance again, the finals are at 1:30 p.m. ET. Universal Sports Network will have coverage.
Frye’s sprint group won their first medal of the event when Justin Gatlin earned silver in the 100-meter dash. The US also advanced all three men’s 400-meter runners to the semifinal round.
South Carolina assistant head coach Delethea Quarles continued her work as Team USA’s women’s jumps and multi coach. American Brittany Reese captured her third-straight long jump world championship. Quarles was also Team USA’s jump coach for Reese’s 2011 world championship.
With Ashton Eaton’s gold in the men’s decathlon, Team USA won a total of three medals on Sunday.
Richardson and Hastings are not the only Gamecocks in action tomorrow, defending world champion Lashinda Demus is slated to make her 2013 World Championships debut in the 400-meter hurdles. The first round is in the morning session with the start listed at 3:50 a.m. ET. Live coverage is planned for Universal Sports Network.
