Myrick, Watson Headed To Olympic Trials

July 18, 2000

Coral Gables, FL – University of Miami seniors Wyllesheia Myrick (Miami Northwestern) and Natalie Watson (Coral Springs) will both attempt to qualify for their respective Olympic Teams this weekend.

Myrick, the BIG EAST Track Athlete of the Year, will compete in the 200-meters at the United States Olympic Trials in Sacramento, CA while Watson, a 1999-00 All-American, will compete in the 800-meters at the Jamaican Olympic Trials in Kingston, Jamaica.

Myrick, the USTCA South Region Women’s Outdoor Athlete of the Year, won the 100-meter and 200-meter titles at this season’s BIG EAST Outdoor Championships. Myrick’s winning time in the 200-meters (23.23) set a BIG EAST record.

Watson, the UM record holder in the 800-meters (2:05.92) and a native of Clarendon, Jamaica, earned All-America honors last season on the strength of her sixth-place finish (2:06.85) at the 2000 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, AR.

In addition to Myrick and Watson, four former Hurricanes will also attempt to qualify for the Olympics. Former UM great Yolanda McCray (Miami Southridge), the 1999 NCAA Champion in the 100-hurdles, will compete in the 100-hurdles at the US Olympic Trials.

Five-time NCAA Champion Gillian Russell (100-hurdles), six-time All-American Patrina Allen (400-hurdles) and two-time NCAA Champion Davian Clarke (400-meters) will attempt to make the Jamaican Olympic Team. Clarke won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta as a member of the Jamaican men’s 4×400-meter relay while Russell has competed for Jamaica in 100-hurdles in both 1992 and 1996.