Pedrya Seymour is one day away from making her Olympic debut, competing in the 100m hurdle prelims tomorrow morning at 9:05 a.m. CT in Rio de Janeiro. Before she left campus for the summer, the News Gazette's Scott Richey spoke with her about her development and breakthrough 2016 season. An exerpt is provided below with the full article available here
"CHAMPAIGN — Pedrya Seymour was recruited to Illinois by former track and field coach Tonja Buford-Bailey primarily for how quickly she could cover 400 meters.
That was Seymour's race — the 400, 1,600 relay and especially the 400 hurdles.
The latter was Seymour's primary event representing the Bahamas at junior events from 2010 to '13, including the World Junior Championships in Barcelona in 2012.
It was also her primary event when she arrived in Champaign to run for new Illini coach Ron Garner.
And, in a way, it's how Seymour ended up in Rio de Janeiro, representing the Bahamas in the Olympics and running the 100-meter hurdles — an event she had never competed in until April.
This April."
Seymour Career Highlights
- 2016 Outdoor All-American in the 100m hurdles
- 2016 Indoor All-American in the 60m hurdlesÂ
- Bahamian national record holder in the 100m hurdles (12.83)
- 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifier in the 100m hurdles
- 2016 Big Ten runner-up in the 100m hurdles
- Third Place at 2016 Big Ten Indoor Championships
- Tied for Fifth Fastest Indoor 60m Hurdle Time in Illinois history (8.15)
- Owns Third-Fastest 100m Hurdles Time in Illinois history (12.83)
