Posted: September 1, 2007

Athletics: Team USA 4x100 Takes Gold at IAAF World Championships

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –Bolstered by former Hogs Wallace Spearmon and Tyson Gay, Team USA’s 4x100-meter relay took the gold at the IAAF World Championships. Led off by Darvis Patton, Team USA clocked a time of 37.78 to take the tape ahead of Team Jamaica’s 37.89 (Marvin Anderson, Usain Bolt, Nesta Carter, Asafa Powell). Spearmon took the second leg, Gay the third and Leroy Dixon anchored. “We practiced with Doc (Darvis Patton) a lot and our exchange was one of the best ever,” Spearmon said. “My only thought was to pass it as best as possible to the fastest man on earth (Tyson Gay). He is my role model, my hero, my everything. He was the leader of our team." Gay tallied three gold medals at this year’s championships (100 meters, 200 meters and 4x100-meter). Spearmon won two medals, a bronze in the 200 meters and gold for the relay. The 4x100-meter relay gold medal was the first at this year’s championships for Patton and Dixon. "My goal was to produce the biggest possible lead for our last runner,” Gay said. “Our hand-off was not the best one, so I tried to push him little bit and cheered him on so that he made it to the line as first. It felt great, it was the team work.” For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit USATF.org. Fans can watch Team USA on national television broadcasts on NBC and Versus, or online via live, daily Webcast at www.wcsn.com. For complete TV listings, visit USATF.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest