CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Pedrya Seymour clocked a 12.92 time at Big Ten Championships last weekend that set a new Bahamian national record and qualified her for 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The record-setting performance by the Nassau, Bahamas native broke Devynn Charlton and Adanaca Brown record of 13.00 set last year.
After setting a personal-record in last Saturday's prelims, Seymour cranked it up a notch in the Sunday final. Recording a 12.92 time, Seymour now ranks fourth on Illinois' all-time list and is currently fifth in the NCAA entering next weekend's NCAA Regional round.
Although the fruits of her labor have come in abundance this season, her former coach saw the work ethic and talent years ago.
"I've known Pedrya since she was about 12 years old," said current Head Team Bahamas George Cleare. "She has always shown that she was a fierce competitor with great talent, but she had a natural niche, or gift, for hurdling. She proved that at the UCC Championship, where she had that year's fastest 60m hurdles time in the region for her age group. So, we always knew that she had that type of talent and world-class potential. We're extremely happy that she was able to qualify for this year's Olympic Games."
After claiming her first All-American honor in March, Coach Cleare and Seymour reunited at Indoor World Championships, where the Illini hurdler improved upon her personal-best time with a 8.15 performance in the preliminary round.
Now in her third at the University of Illinois, the All-American has transitioned to the 100m hurdles, earning two Big Ten medals to go along with her first NCAA Championships appearance.
In the eyes of Coach Cleare, the success she's had this year is a byproduct of the coaching and culture created at the University of Illinois by Head Coach Ron Garner and Associate Head Coach Randy Gillon.
"It's great to see that she's now in a great program," exclaimed Cleare. "She's enjoying her school, she loves her coaches and she is doing big things."
Coach Cleare has had a long relationship with the Illinois coaching staff, and has shown nothing but encouragement as Seymour transitioned to the collegiate level.
Although the Rio Games are on her radar, Seymour will first seek more success at the collegiate level. Seymour and the Illini will compete at the Lawrence, Kansas Midwest Regional May 28-29 with sights set on qualifying for NCAA Championships June 8-11 in Eugene, Oregon.
