The Official South Carolina Athletics Site
Four Gamecock Hurdlers Advance Friday At US Olympic Trials
Four former Gamecocks advance in their respective hurdle events

 

June 29, 2012

EUGENE, Ore. - Four former Gamecock hurdlers that hit the track Friday at the US Olympic Trials advanced to the next round as competition continued at Hayward Field for the rights to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympics.

Jason Richardson and Lashinda Demus continued to excel as the favorites in their respective events by taking first in the men's 110-meter hurdles and women's 400-meter hurdles, respectively. Tiffany Ross-Williams also advanced in the women's 400-meter hurdles, and Johnny Dutch advanced to the men's 400-meter hurdles finals to wrap up the day.

Reigning world champion Richardson ran a 13.13 for the fastest time of the day in the 110-meter hurdles preliminary round after waiting a week since the start of the US Olympic Trials to see action. Two-time Olympic silver medalist and three time World Championships silver medalist Terrence Trammell will not get the opportunity to earn his first gold after placing 24th in the preliminary round at 13.86.

Demus ran 54.41 to easily coast to the finals of the women's 400-meter hurdles with the top time of the day, and Ross-Williams was fourth overall at 55.47. Dutch kept his hopes of making his first Olympic team alive by earning the final qualifying spot in the men's 400-meter hurdles with a time of 49.59.

"There are still a couple of technical problems, but I'm happy with the time," Demus said. "That was my fastest time this year which is unusual, but I'm using these rounds to my advantage because I haven't had many races. Normally this time (of the year) I've ran 52 (seconds) or low 53, but I'm coming off of an injury. I know that I can run better."

Richardson will be the lone Gamecock competing Saturday with the 110-meter hurdle semifinals at 7:20 p.m. (ET). The 400-meter hurdles finals will be held Sunday.

 

 

    Coming Soon