Nyck Harbor isn't with his South Carolina football teammates full-time during spring practice. For those unaware, that is because Harbor is a dual-sport athlete who also is a member of the South Carolina track and field program. One of the fastest men in America, Harbor has (realistic) Olympic dreams and has been a valuable member of the track team in Columbia, even as a freshman.
Harbor has posted several top-10 numbers in the NCAA this season and has picked up some victories for the Gamecocks in various events.
This past weekend, though, probably was his top showing as a Gamecock, and the Southeastern Conference rewarded the young sprinter for his efforts. After securing two USC wins at the South Carolina-hosted Weems Baskin Invitational this past weekend, he was named the SEC Freshman of the Week.
Harbor ran the anchor leg in the 4x100-meter relay for the event-winning Gamecocks as the foursome of Harbor, Prescott Jefferson, Andrew Bond, and Anthony Greenhow ran a 40.2 to bring home the gold.
He also picked up an individual win, running a 10.24 in the 100-meter sprint, just beating out Greenhow in the final heat (after Greenhow got the best of Harbor in the preliminaries when he went for a program record).
On the season, Nyck Harbor has clocked the 3rd-fastest 100-meter sprint in all of NCAA track and field, the 7th-fastest 100-meter sprint of the year, and was the anchor leg for the 19th-fastest 4x100-meter relay time of the season.
Along with Harbor's recognition, fellow USC freshmen Jameesia Ford and Cynteria James were named SEC Female Freshman of the Week and USTFCCCA Division I National Athlete of the Week.
Harbor will be with South Carolina football some during the spring and summer but will be working with the track team, as well. As he balances both sports, Olympic qualifying will come into play later this summer.