Quintet of Lady'Backs set for World Championships

FAYETTEVILLE – Five former University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track and field athletes are in their final preparations for the World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki, Finland, including two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Veronica Campbell.

The Lady Razorback representatives hail from four countries including the United States, Jamaica, Canada and Norway. Campbell is the lone participant from Jamaica while Gi-Gi Miller and LaShaunte’a Moore run for the U.S. Tawa Dortch is the Canadian representative and Trine Pilskog hails from Norway.

“What a wonderful achievement for these young ladies,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “I am very proud of each one we wish them the very best in Helsinki. This is certainly a reflection on the University of Arkansas as a springboard for those athletes who wish to compete at the international level.”

For the five participating athletes, two are making their first attempts at major international outdoor competition including Miller and Dortch. Campbell, Moore and Pilskog each competed at the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad last summer for their respective countries. While the Outdoor Championships are Miller’s first foray into major outdoor competition, she did compete at the World Indoor Championships just two years ago.

Arkansas’ former athletes are set to see action in seven different events from the sprints to middle distance races to relays to the grueling heptathlon. Campbell could be the busiest athlete as she has qualified in the 100, 200 and 4×100-meter relay. Moore is an alternate on the United State’s 4×100 relay while Pilskog is set to compete in the 1,500-meter run. Former teammates Dortch and Miller tackle the 400-meter hurdles and heptathlon. Miller’s heptathlon should rival Campbell’s feat as she must compete in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash, long jump, javelin throw and 800-meter run over a two-day span.

Arkansas’ five athletes competing at the World Track Championships is as many as it sent to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004. Added to the mix this summer are Dortch and Miller while former Lady’Backs and Athens Olympians Deena Kastor and Nicole Teter chose not to participate in this summer’s action.

The World Championships begin on Saturday, August 6 and run through Sunday, August 14. For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.