Jonathas Anchors Gold Medal for Team USA

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina track and field senior Wadeline Jonathas captured a gold medal at the 2019 IAAF World Championships as the anchor leg of the 4x400m relay for Team USA on Sunday afternoon. Jonathas’ gold medal is the first for a Gamecock since Natasha Hastings won in the same event at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
 
Jonathas split a 50.20 in Team USA’s world-leading 3:18.92 to claim the gold medal. The squad led from wire-to-wire, defeating Poland and Jamaica to help the United States win the event for the sixth time in the last seven editions of the World Championships.
 
Jonathas’ championship performance comes just days after she finished fourth in the world in the 400m with a new collegiate record of 49.71. Her 400m time also helps her claim the fastest time in program history that was previously held by Natasha Hastings (49.84). The fourth-place finish in the 400m marked continued success for the Gamecocks with Jonathas joining Hastings (2016 Olympics) as the best finish at a world event in program history. 
 
During the IAAF World Championships, Jonathas, as she has all year long, continued to make strides. She posted two personal records during her three individual races, including winning her quarterfinal heat and claiming second in the 400m semifinals to earn an automatic qualifying spot in the finals.
 
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