TicketsJune 29, 2009
EUGENE, Ore. - Former University of Cincinnati track and field all-American in the 110 high hurdles and 2008 Olympic silver medalist, David Payne, became the first UC track and field athlete to capture a National Championship after finishing in first place in the 110 high hurdles at the USA Track and Field Junior and Senior Nationals held in Eugene, Ore., June 25-28. Additionally, current UC track and field junior Antione Drakeford (Columbus, Ohio/Africentric) and freshman Michael Rutherford (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) finished 14th in the 400 meters of the senior national and 12th in the 800 meters of the junior national, respectively.
In the senior nationals, Payne advanced to the finals of the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 13.21, before capturing the 110 high hurdles title with a time of 13.115 in the finals. Payne's time of 13.115 was three one-thousandths of a second faster than second-place finisher Terrence Trammell, making Payne the first UC track and field athlete to garner an USA Track and Field National Championship.
With the win, Payne advances to the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics Aug. 15-23, in Berlin, Germany.
Drakeford, a recent USA Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USATFCCCA) All-American in the 400 meters, competed in the 400 in the senior nationals and finished in 14th place with a time of 46.50.
Finally, Rutherford ran strong in the 800 meters of the junior national race crossing the line in a 12th-place time of 1:53.07. Rutherford missed out on qualifying for the finals by just .79 seconds.