Campbell makes it three for three

ATHENS, Greece – Former University of Arkansas Lady Razorback Veronica Campbell made it three for three in her races at the games of the XXVIII Olympiad on Friday when she anchored Jamaica’s 4×100-meter relay team to the gold medal at Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece.

Allowing her teammates to run in the preliminaries, the bronze medalist in the 100 and gold medalist in the 200 returned to Jamaica’s squad as the anchor and powered her team to victory. Jamaica routed the world-class field with a staggering time of 41.73 seconds with Russia finishing second at 42.27 and France in third 42.54.

“This was by far Veronica’s easiest medal,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “She only had to run one race instead of the rounds. We are so proud of Veronica’s accomplishments at the games and know that she worked very hard to be in this position. This is by far the greatest Olympic games by a group of Lady Razorbacks that we have ever seen.”

The Jamaican 4×100-meter relay featured three members who were finalists in the 100-meter dash making their run to a medal nearly automatic could they get the baton around the track without incident. Leading off, Tanya Lawrence put the Jamaican’s in good position before passing the stick to 100-meter finalist Sherone Simpson. Simpson then handed off to Aleen Bailey and eventually to Campbell who once again looked impressive as she came down the home stretch.

For Campbell, the gold is her second of the games and third medal overall in Athens. Coupled with her silver from the Sydney Olympics in 2000, she now owns four Olympic medals, a feat even more impressive when you note that she is just 22-years-old. There is a possibility that Campbell may run on Jamaica’s 4×400-meter relay on Saturday, but there has been no confirmation of her participation and Jamaica’s team finished third during preliminaries earlier on Friday.

During the course of the last fortnight, six current and former Arkansas Lady Razorbacks participated in the Athens games, winning four medals, two gold and two bronze. The athlete and medal totals are the most at any Olympic games by a group of Lady Razorbacks and Campbell became the first Lady Razorback to earn a medal when she took bronze in the 100-meter dash. Deena (Drossin) Kastor became the first U.S. Olympian to earn a medal when she took the bronze in the marathon the next day.

For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.