Tuesday, July 04, 2017

Duke Signs Olympic 400m Finalist Steven Solomon


Courtesy: Duke Athletics
Steven Solomon
Duke Signs Olympic 400m Finalist Steven Solomon
Courtesy: Duke Sports Information
Release: 07/03/2017
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DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke Track & Field team welcomes graduate student Steven Solomon to the 2017-18 campaign after Solomon was granted an extension of athletic eligibility by the NCAA.
Solomon comes to Durham to pursue a Masters in Management Studies (MMS) at the Fuqua School of Business and complete his final year of athletic eligibility with the Duke Track & Field Team.
“We are thrilled to welcome Steven to the Duke family,” said Duke track & field assistant coach Mark Mueller. “His accolades and international experience are incredible, but he is also an elite student and quality person who embodies everything we are looking for in a Duke student-athlete.  He has expressed that he has unfinished business at the NCAA level and we are excited to work together and see what he can do in his final season in the college ranks.”
The Sydney, Australia, native exploded onto the international track scene at only 19 years of age when he won the 2012 Australian National Championships in 45.54 to hit the Olympic standard and make the Australian Team for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  He improved on that performance to win his first Olympic heat in 45.18. He followed the personal best with an outstanding 44.97 in the semifinals, becoming the first Australian man in 24 years to reach an Olympic 400m final.  In the final, he ran his second fastest time ever (45.14) and finished eighth place.
After the Olympics, Solomon left Australia for Stanford University, where he studied Premed and competed in the 400m. During Solomon’s first two years at Stanford, he etched his name in the Stanford record book five times and was a two-time NCAA All-American and National Champion on the DMR. Solomon set the outdoor school record in the 400m (45.36) at Australia’s National Championships in Melbourne in 2014. Unfortunately, his NCAA career was cut short due to injury and only competed two years for the Cardinal.
Earlier this year, Solomon won his record tying fifth Australian National Championship in the 400m, but was just off the World Championship Standard. Yesterday, Solomon garnered first at the TrackTown Summer Series 400m race in a time of 45.19 to hit the standard and secure his spot on the Australian team and return to the Olympic stadium in London for the 2017 World Championships.
He will be coming to Durham in the middle of July to begin his masters and continue his preparation for the World Championships in August. Solomon is set to compete in the preliminary rounds on August 5 at 5:45 p.m. EST.
#GoDuke 

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