Oklahoma State University Athletics
Former Sooners Advance To Olympic Games In Track
July 24, 2000 | Track O
July 24, 2000
NORMAN, Okla. -- Danny McFarlane and Michael Blackwood, two former University of Oklahoma sprinters, will compete in the Olympic Games this fall as members of the Jamaican National Team.
McFarlane finished second and Blackwood was fourth in the 400-meter dash at the Jamaican Olympic Trials held last weekend at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Both will run on the 1600-meter relay and a decision will be made later about their status in the open 400.
McFarlane, who last competed for OU in 1997, was an eight-time All-American for the Sooners and was a member of the Sooners' indoor 1600-meter relay national champion in 1997. He competed for Jamaica in the 1995 and 1999 World Championships.
Blackwood completed his Sooner career this spring. He won the Big 12 title in the 400 and, at one time this season, had the fastest 400-meter dash time in the world. He earned All-America honors in 1999 on the indoor 1600-meter relay and added All-America honors this season in the outdoor 400 and as a member of the indoor and outdoor 1600-meter relays. Blackwood was a member of the Jamaican 1600-meter relay team that took the bronze at the 1998 Goodwill Games.
Sand? Swaby, a junior to be this fall, finished fifth in the high jump and Ryan Clarke, who will be a freshman for the Sooners in the fall, finished seventh in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles. Another former Sooner, Omar Brown, finished eighth in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles.
