BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Track and field phenom Candace Hill will make her professional debut Saturday at the UAB Vulcan Invite from the Birmingham Crossplex.
A 16-year old sprinter at Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Ga., Hill recently became the only high school female to break 11 seconds in the 100 meters when she turned in a youth world record time of 10.98 at the Brooks Invitational in Seattle, Wash., last June. Additionally, Hill posted a time of 22.43 at the IAAF World Youth Championships to set a meet record.
Her dominance in the sport helped her garner multiple awards, including the Gatorade National Female Athlete of the Year, the USA Track and Field Youth Athlete of the Year and the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
"We are honored that Candace and her coach picked our meet to be the site for which she will begin her professional career," UAB head coach Kurt Thomas said. "Having special athletes like Candace compete at our meet is very exciting."
Hill, who recently signed a professional contract with Asics, has already begun training for the Olympic Trials this summer in Oregon. She is scheduled to compete in the 60-meter dash at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Friday's 60-meter dash will feature Nigerian Olympian Gloria Asumnu, who competed in the 100 meters and the 4x100 meter relay for her country, and Trell Kimmons, as American sprinter who won a silver medal in the 4x100 meter relay at the 2012 Olympics.
Chaunte Lowe, the American record holder in the women's high jump, is also scheduled to compete on Friday. Lowe appeared in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.
"With this being an Olympic year, we knew there would be a surge in professional athletes looking for meets, but to have so many elite athletes coming to Birmingham for our meets is overwhelmingly exciting," Thomas added. "There are so many exceptional and world class athletes competing at our meets. It should be a really great show that everyone can enjoy."
Outstanding college programs like Georgia, which features the NCAA Champion in the triple jump and heptathlon, and Florida State are also expected to compete throughout the weekend.
Competition at the UAB Invitational kicks off Friday at 11 a.m. with the mile run and the women's high jump. Saturday's Vulcan Invite opens at 8 a.m. with the 5000 meter run.
For more information on UAB track and field, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_TrackXC). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).