Finally, a Golden Longhorn
UT ex wins hurdles for Jamaica
By Lee Nichols, 10:49PM, Wed. Aug. 20, 2008
The rest of the world today is buzzing about Usain Bolt's amazing world record in the men's 200 meters, but it would be a shame to overlook another Jamaican's accomplishment. Just 15 minutes after Bolt's win, former Texas Longhorn Melaine Walker blistered the 400 meters hurdles field in an Olympic record 52.64 seconds, destroying her previous personal record of 53.48. Her time is the fourth-fastest in history, and only three-tenths of a second off the world record. Walker's win continues an Olympics wherein the Jamaicans are thoroughly beating up on the usually dominant Americans in the sprinting events.
Also today, former Longhorn and San Antonio native Marshevet Hooker placed second in her semifinal of the 200 meters and will run in Thursday's final. And, since it's already Thursday in Beijing, another Texas Ex, Trey Hardee, has started the two-day decathlon. Both, although in their first Olympics, are realistic medal prospects.
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Nick Barbaro, Aug. 6, 2012
Lee Nichols, Aug. 24, 2008
