Two Great Gamecocks Move On
posted by Scott Hood on Wednesday, June 27, 2007
But because they are track athletes, they receive scant attention from the mainstream media, despite their exploits. Wednesday, both Hastings and Solomon announced they were turning pro. Solomon, who didn't compete in the NCAA Championships because of a strained left quadriceps, has already signed with an agent and agreed to an apparel deal with Reebok.
Hastings, who ran the fastest 400 meters ever by a college runner at the USA Track and Field Championships last week, is still negotiating with agents and apparel companies. Both runners will remain in Columbia to finish their degrees and train under USC track and field coach Curtis Frye.
Hastings and Solomon were both named All-Americans 11 times and won three NCAA titles apiece – two individual and one relay. Hastings was recently named the 2007 National Track Athlete of the Year and the 2007 SEC Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year. Solomon, who is majoring in Nursing, won two NCAA titles and five SEC titles in the 200 meters and 4x100 meter relay team.
"Natasha and Shalonda are perfect examples of what we want when we recruit a student-athlete because they care about their work in the classroom as much as they care about track and field. They are leaders. They're not satisfied with cutting corners and manage their time well."
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You may not know the names of Natasha Hastings and Shalonda Solomon, but you should. They are two of the most decorated USC athletes in recent years.
But because they are track athletes, they receive scant attention from the mainstream media, despite their exploits. Wednesday, both Hastings and Solomon announced they were turning pro. Solomon, who didn't compete in the NCAA Championships because of a strained left quadriceps, has already signed with an agent and agreed to an apparel deal with Reebok.
Hastings, who ran the fastest 400 meters ever by a college runner at the USA Track and Field Championships last week, is still negotiating with agents and apparel companies. Both runners will remain in Columbia to finish their degrees and train under USC track and field coach Curtis Frye.
Hastings and Solomon were both named All-Americans 11 times and won three NCAA titles apiece – two individual and one relay. Hastings was recently named the 2007 National Track Athlete of the Year and the 2007 SEC Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year. Solomon, who is majoring in Nursing, won two NCAA titles and five SEC titles in the 200 meters and 4x100 meter relay team.
"Natasha and Shalonda are perfect examples of what we want when we recruit a student-athlete because they care about their work in the classroom as much as they care about track and field. They are leaders. They're not satisfied with cutting corners and manage their time well."
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.