OLYMPIC SPOTLIGHT: Wallace Spearmon

OLYMPIC SPOTLIGHT: Wallace Spearmon

Event: 200 Meters

Date: Prelims – Monday, August 18; Quarterfinals – Monday, August 18; Semifinals – Tuesday, August 19; Finals – Wednesday, August 20

Fayetteville’s own, Wallace Spearmon, is coming off a bronze-medal finish in the 200 meters at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, and will do something not even his father could do as a two-time All-American at Arkansas—represent the United States at the Olympic Games.

Spearmon will compete in the 200 meters in Beijing. He is also a member of the 4×100-meter relay pool.

In his two years as a Razorback, Spearmon tallied five All-SEC honors, was a two-time SEC Champion was named an All-American seven times.

In 2005, Spearmon became the first Razorback to win a 200-meter national indoor title, setting an NCAA and World record in the process (20.10).

Since his days as a Hog, Spearmon has been nothing short of brilliant. He has medaled three times in IAAF World Championship competition, including gold as a member of the U.S. 4×100 meter relay team in Osaka in 2007.

In 2008, Spearmon won the 200 meters at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore. and took third at the Olympic Trials held in the same venue.

Spearmon clocked times of 20.81 (prelims), 20.59 (quarterfinals), 20.05 (semifinals) and 19.90 (finals) to make his Olympic dreams come true.

Spearmon will enter the Olympics with a personal-best 19.65 in the 200 meters, the fourth-fastest time ever. Only Americans Michael Johnson, former training partner Tyson Gay and Xavier Carter have run faster outdoors.

Spearmon will compete in the opening round of the 200 meters Monday, Aug. 18. For complete results and details of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, visit http://www.iaaf.org/OLY08/index.html. For more information on the Razorbacks in Beijing, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Career Highlights: World record-holder in the indoor 200 meters and a four-time NCAA Champion; three-time medalist at the IAFF World Championships; earned seven-All-American honors and five All-SEC honors while at UA; two-time SEC Champion.