Feb. 11, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – South Carolina freshman Precious Holmes earned women’s SEC Freshman of the Week honors after her stellar performance at the Armory Collegiate Invitational.

Riding a two-meet win streak, Holmes began her weekend on Friday by qualifying for the finals of the 400-meter dash championship division with a collegiate best and the third fastest time overall at 53.98. On Saturday, the Gamecock set a new PR in the finals, clocking in at 53.33 on her way to a second-place finish.

In the 400-meter dash, Holmes is the fastest freshman in the SEC and the fourth fastest in the nation. Overall, her time ranks 14th in the NCAA.

In the final event of the meet, Holmes gave South Carolina a lead they would not surrender on the lead-off leg of the 4×400-meter relay championship. The quartet’s time of 3:37.79 is the 15th-best time in the country.

Holmes contributed to 18 points for the No. 14 Gamecocks as they took third place in their first scored meet of the season at the USTFCCCA’s National Meet of the Week.

South Carolina travels to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Tyson Invitational Friday and Saturday.