Aug 13, 2013

MOSCOW – Former Gamecock Lashinda Demus will have the chance to defend her 2011 400-meter hurdle world title after automatically qualifying in her semifinal race on Tuesday at the 2013 IAAF World Championships.

After taking control of the race, Demus cruised to the finish line in second place knowing she had secured a spot in the final. Her season-best time of 54.22 was the fourth-fastest time of the two heats. The 2012 Olympic silver medalist is one of two Americans to move on, as her training partner Dalilah Muhammad also advanced.

Demus is the third former South Carolina student-athlete to advance to an event final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships. Yesterday, Natasha Hastings took fifth-place in the 400-meter dash and Jason Richardson narrowly missed the podium in the 110-meter hurdles.

South Carolina head coach and Team USA sprint and hurdle coach Curtis Frye saw a 1-2 finish in the men’s 400-meter dash. Gold medalist LaShawn Merritt posted a world leading time of 43.74.

No Gamecocks are in action tomorrow. Thursday, Demus will race at 12:45 p.m. and rising senior and school record holder Jeannelle Scheper will take the field for the women’s high jump at 1:40 a.m. Live coverage can be seen on Universal Sports.