BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – With the 2016 Olympics a year away, WKU Track and Field will be represented by sophomore Julius Morris and former Hilltopper All-American Gavin Smellie at the prestigious 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.
Morris will be competing for his native Montserrat in the 200-meter dash on August 25, while Smellie will participate on the Canadian 4x100-meter relay team on August 29. Complete information on the championships can be found at IAAF.org.
"I am happy for both of these young men," said WKU track and field coach Erik Jenkins. "The World Championships are the biggest athletics meet in the world this year. Many of the same athletes competing will be vying for coveted Olympic Games roster spots next year."
In his debut season on the Hill, Morris claimed All-Conference USA honors in the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes at the 2015 Conference USA Indoor Championships, won by the Hilltoppers. Morris secured the silver medal in the 200-meter at the conference championships and the bronze in the 60-meter race.
Smellie, who took part in the 2012 London Olympic Games, was an All-American at WKU in both 2008 and 2009 and was named the Men's Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track Most Outstanding Performer in the same seasons. The Canadian has also represented his country at the 2009 and 2011 IAAF World Championships.
