 "Photo: Jason McDonald")
Three thousandths of a second. That's how close Carolina's Jason Richardson came to winning his first NCAA title earlier this year during the indoor championships. Since then, the senior hurdler has been on a mission to earn his first NCAA gold medal.
This past Saturday under the hot sun in Des Moines, Iowa, the Carolina track star beat out his competition to finish first in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2008 NCAA National Track and Field Championships.
Earning a national title has always been somewhat elusive for the talented athlete. Arriving to USC in 2005 full of potential, Richardson went on to take the bronze medal in the 110-meter hurdles as a freshman in the NCAA Championships. The following year the sophomore again received bronze, still searching for a NCAA title.
During his junior year, the promising athlete was forced to red shirt both his indoor and outdoor seasons after being plagued with repeated hamstring injuries.
2008 brought a healthy and faster than ever Richardson hungry for a national title. In a heartbreaking loss by a mere split second during the indoor championships, the hurdler then turned his sights to the outdoor season.
Taking his opponents on by storm, Richardson never lost a single race in the 110-meter hurdles as a collegiate this season entering the NCAA finals. Airing on national television, Richardson crossed the line in 13.40 seconds, earning him his long awaited gold medal.
"I am happy for the win," Richardson said. "It's a win that's delayed, but not denied."
The Gamecock held off the best in the nation for the win, including the man who narrowly beat him during the indoor championship, Drew Brunson.
"He did what was necessary. It was a great run," said USC coach Curtis Frye. "He didn't get a very good start, but he didn't panic and stayed in the race. He did what a mature athlete would do and handled things."
Richardson's win propelled the men's team to an 18th place finish, the highest men's finish since the 2003 season.
On the women's side, a sixth seeded 4x400 meter relay team surprised the field with a third place finish. The bronze medal team made up of Brandi Cross, Faraign Giles, Gabrielle Glenn and Porche Byrd, finished in a time of 3:30.78. The relay team, comprised of one senior, one sophomore and two freshmen, were each rewarded All-American honors for the performance.
Earlier during the meet, Cross finished an impressive sixth place in the 400 meters. Entering the finals with just the eighth best time, Cross earned All-American honors with her sixth place finish in a time of 51.86 seconds.
The women's efforts earned the Gamecocks a 22nd place finish.
The four day meet in Des Moines showcased memorable performances from the top athletes in the nation. At the culmination of the weekend, Jason Richardson left as the greatest 110-meter hurdler in the country.
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