Sept. 2, 2011

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By Miquel Jacobs
Assistant Media Relations Director

DAEGU, South Korea – Former South Carolina track athlete Shalonda Solomon placed fourth overall in the 200-meter dash Friday night in her first appearance at the IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held at Daegu Stadium.

Solomon was part of a group of three Americans that went 2-3-4 with the former Gamecock taking fourth with a time of 22.61. It was her first time competing at the World Outdoor Championships after a prep career that saw her take gold at the World Junior Championships in 2004.

“I’m feeling fine,” Solomon said. “It just wasn’t the performance I was looking for, but I’m glad I finished the race. I’m learning; just a learning curve I have to fight through.”

Natasha Hastings ran leadoff for the women’s 4×400-meter relay team that won its heat at 3:23.57 to advance to Saturday’s final. Hastings teamed with Americans Jessica Beard, Francena McCorory and Keshia Baker to run 3:23.57, the fourth-fastest time of the round.

Rising senior Kierre Beckles competed for her home country of Barbados in the 100-meter hurdles and took 31st overall with a time of 13.44. Beckles, who battled injuries at the end of the collegiate season and has been competing since January, was slowed this week after injuring her arm in a fall during training, yet managed to take the track with the fifth-fastest reaction time Friday night of all of the heats.

Beckles, who holds the Barbados national record in the high hurdles, was the only current Gamecock to make it to the World Championships.