EUGENE, Oregon -- South Carolina State sprinter Tyrell Richard culminated his NCAA track and field season Friday with a 5th place finish in the 400-meters finals at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The Georgetown junior, who was clocked in a time of 45.10 in the race won by Southern Cal's Michael Norman in a collegiate record time of 43.61, will leave Oregon with All-America honors.Earlier, in the 400-meter semifinals at Eugene, Richard blazed to a school and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record with a time of 44.70. That mark erased the 32-year old school record of 45.18 set by Malcolm Walters in 1986, as well as the MEAC standard of 45.21 established by Richard himself May 5 at the league's outdoor championship at Greensboro.
Richard is the second Bulldog sprinter this season to perform well against the nation's top collegiate runners. Teammate Demek Kemp culminated the indoor campaign with a third-place finish and a bronze medal at the NCAA Indoor Track Championship in March.
He views his accomplishments with humility and is determined to work hard to bring even more notoriety and acclaim to SC State and his hometown.
"Performing well on a national stage means a great deal to me," Richard said. "It's great to be able to lift your school and hometown to national heights. And, personally, it meant a great deal to me to be able to trim over a half-second off the school record in the 400 meters (in the NCAA semifinals).
"Overall, it's been an amazing year for me, beginning with the indoor season when I set a school record in the 200 meters (20.53). Then, to follow that up with a school and conference record in the 400 meters outdoors is pretty special. I think I still have a lot left in me and hope to get better."
Bulldog head coach Tim Langford lauded Richard's performance in Eugene and agrees with the Bulldog junior that he has the capability to achieve even greater heights.
"Tyrell's performance at the NCAA Track and Field Championship was exceptional," said Langford. "It's a great testimony to any athlete that shows up when the lights come on, when the nation is watching and the pressure is on. I'm happy for him and our program."
Twice during the season, Richard was named the MEAC Track Performer of the Week for his achievements. That resume' has been further strengthened by his latest accomplishments but, there may be even more acclaim waiting for Richard as he and Kemp will both be participating in the Supcoming USA Track and Field Championship June 21-24 at Des Moines, Iowa.
Twice during the season, Richard was named the MEAC Track Performer of the Week for his achievements. That resume' has been further strengthened by his latest accomplishments but, there may be even more acclaim waiting for Richard as he and Kemp will both be participating in the Supcoming USA Track and Field Championship June 21-24 at Des Moines, Iowa.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION
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