June 19, 2002

USC is headed to Palo Alto, Calif., this weekend for the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. This year the USA Junior Nationals with be held in conjuction with the USA Nationals.

The meet runs Wednesday, June 19 through Sunday, June 23.

USC will bring a full contingent of athletes, including seven athletes who will be competing at USA Junior Nationals in hope of making the USA’s World Junior Championship team.

The top two in each event, plus a select number of athletes (for relays) will be on the USA’s World Junior Championship team. The World Junior Championships are July 16-21 in Kingston, Jamaica.

Those athletes competing in the USA National Championships will be vying for positions on the USA’s World Cup team. Athletes winning their individual events at the 2002 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will earn a spot on the Team USA roster for the 2002 IAAF World Cup Championships.

The only exception is for the men’s and women’s 4×100 and 4x400m relay teams. Those roster spots will be selected by team coaches from all participants competing in the June 21-23 Championships at Stanford.

The 9th IAAF World Cup Championships will take place September 21-22 in Madrid, Spain.

Only one athlete from each team is allowed to compete in each event at the World Cup. If an athlete who wins an event at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships is unable to compete in the World Cup, the next-highest placing athlete in the event who can compete at World Cup will be selected to Team USA.

The following are USC’s athletes at the USA meet:

SOUTH CAROLINA MEN’S ROSTER
Duan Barrino ** – 100m
Jonathan Fortenberry ** – 400m
Otis Harris – 400m
Greg Royster ** – decathlon
Corey Taylor – 110m hurdles

SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN’S ROSTER
Lisa Barber – 200m, 400m
Tacita Bass – heptathlon
Lashinda Demus ** – 400m hurdles
Kerri Groover ** – discus, shot put
Chalsea Hammond ** – long jump
Tiffany Ross ** – 400m hurdles
Shevon Stoddart – 400m
Demetria Washington – 400m
Erica Whipple ** – 100m, 200m
Antoinette Wilks – long jump

** – Competing at USA Junior Nationals

Volunteer Coaches Competing at the USA Nationals
Dawn Ellerbe – hammer, discus
Monique Hennagan – 400m
Allen Johnson – 110m hurdles (defending champion)
Melissa Morrison – 100m hurdles
Terrence Trammell – 100m, 110m hurdles