14 Athletes with Bama Ties Set to Compete in World Championship

The Alabama Crimson Tide track and field program will be greatly represented at the upcoming World Championships with fourteen athletes representing seven different countries.

“We’re incredibly excited for the upcoming World Championships,” said Alabama head coach Dan Waters. “To have more than a dozen past and present members of our team competing at the highest level of our sport is testament to the heights that this program has risen to over the last decade.”

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Five Alabama graduates were named on the Team USA roster a few weeks ago including Quanesha Burks, Shelby McEwen, Daniel Haugh, Tamara Clark, and Champion Allison. Burks will be competing in long jump, McEwen in high jump, Haugh in hammer throw, and Clark and Allison in sprinting events.

In the U.S. championships, Burks, McEwen, and Haugh won titles in their respective sports while Clark and Allison won silver medals.

"To have five Alabama alumni win three events and earn two silver medals at the U.S. Championships is amazing and to have all five earn spots at the World Championships takes it to a whole other level," said Waters. “We’re super proud of the way Quanesha, Shelby, Danny, Tamara and Champ continue to excel at the highest levels of our sport.”

Nine Alabama track and field athletes past and present that will be competing for other countries include Tarsis Orogot (Uganda), Kirani James (Grenada), Alex Amankwah (Ghana), Natassha McDonald (Canada), Jereem Richards (Trinidad and Tobago), Portious Warren (Trinidad and Tobago), Olivia Fotopoulou (Cyprus), Filippa Fotopoulou (Cyprus), and Mauricia Prieto (Trinidad and Tobago).

“We were well represented at last summer’s Olympics but this should take us to another level on the biggest stage,” said Waters.

The World Championships will take place on July 14-24 in Eugene, Ore.