CALI, Colombia – Rising sophomore
Iyana Gray took home a silver medal in the 4x100 relay at the U20 World Championships on Friday afternoon.
Anchoring the third leg, Gray and teammates Jayla Jamison, Autumn Wilson, and Swanti Jackson ran a time of 43.28, setting a new U20 national record. The U.S. was just off the mark of Jamaica, who won gold and set a new U20 world record of 42.59.
"We are so proud of Iyana," said head coach
John Sauerhage. "For her to compete at this event and medal is a testament to the athlete she is and high level she has competed at this season. It is a testament to her hard work and she has already accomplished so much for our program."
It ended up being a two team race between Jamaica and the U.S. as Gray ran a strong leg to give the Americans a chance, but the Jamaicans, led by 100 meter winning Tia Clayton, were too strong as they pulled away for the win. Host country Colombia won the bronze medal with a time of 44.59.
It is believed to be the first international medal in UTA track & field history and the first medal in any international event since the 1976 Montreal Olympics when Lanny Bassham won gold in rifle.
Gray adds U20 World Championships medalist to an already incredible first season. The Houston native was an All-American Honorable Mention in both the 4x100 and 200 as a freshman, Gray possessed the 5th-fastest time in the world earlier this year in the 100 (11.22) and 200 (22.78) among athletes under 20. Those times also shattered previous school records in both events, and her 7.41 in the 60m indoor ranked as the 3rd-best in program history.
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