KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

LONDON – Indiana State junior Greggmar Swift did not finish his 2012 season the way he wanted to but the Barbados native will have another chance in four years.

Swift finished fifth in the fourth heat of the first round in the men's 110 meter hurdles at the 2012 London Olympics with a time of 13.62. The heat featured defending Olympic champion Dayron Robles of Cuba who won the heat in 13.33 and the USA's Jeff Porter who was third in 13.53.

“Just want to thank everyone for supporting me today and for the entire season.” Swift said after the race. “I gave my best and it wasn't good enough today. Hopefully you all will continue to support me because there is still a lot to come.”

Swift said he was looking forward to a little rest after a busy season of competition but not this way.

“So this is how it feels to not make the semi's,” Swift said. “It is just a world of pain. Knowing that you are among the world's best and proving are two different things. I just have to prove it.

John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach and coach of the Sycamore hurdlers, was on hand but could not get into the stadium to watch the action.

“I had to watch on television but the coverage was very good,” McNichols said. “They showed each race several times with different angles.”

McNichols said that Swift got off to a great start but faded towards the end.

“He got out great and raced in the top three for the first half of the race,” McNichols said. “He then lost a position or two but did not have any problems. He was just not as sharp as he has been in the past. This was one of the toughest heats of the competition. This was a good first experience for him on such a huge international stage.”

Swift also had two countrymen in the competition. Ryan Brathwaite advanced to Wednesday's semifinals by finishing second in the fifth heat with a season best time of 13.23. Shane Brathwaite did not finish in a calamity filled sixth heat after hitting the first hurdle and falling.

The Sycamore has had a busy summer in preparation for the Summer Games after earning a spot on the Barbados National Team with a second place finish at the Barbados National Track & Field Championships with a time of 13.52 seconds. Ryan Brathwaite won the national title with Shane Brathwaite third. Swift also earned a bronze medal at the 2012 North America Central America Caribbean Under 23 Championships (13.56) and was second at the 2012 Flanders Cup in Belgium with a time of 13.81.

He earned Second Team All-American honors with a 10th place finish at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and won the 110 meter hurdles at the 2012 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships with the third fastest time in school history of 13.49.