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Hastings and Solomon turn pro
Natasha Hastings and Shalonda Solomon, both three-time NCAA champions at South Carolina, are giving up their senior seasons of eligibility to turn professional.
Hastings won the 2007 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor 400 meter titles and was the runner-up at the 2007 AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, breaking Sanya Richards' collegiate record with her 49.84-second performance. Her second place finish earned her a spot on the U.S. team for the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships Aug. 25-Sept. 2 in Osaka, Japan. Trotter won in 49.64, giving the pair the two fastest times in the world this year. Hastings will continue her season in Europe before heading to the worlds.
Solomon was the 2006 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor 200m champion and 2006 AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships runner-up. The 2004 World Junior 200m champion, Solomon's season was cut short with a quadriceps injury at the NCAA East Regional Championships. She will take the rest of the year off to recover.
Solomon signed with agent Mark Wetmore of Global Athletics, who represents track stars such as Tyson Gay and Marshavet Hooker. Hastings is in the final stages of firming up her representation. Both women have pledged to finish their education while pursuing their professional careers.
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