As MileSplit counts down to the Flo Golden South Invitational on May 28, we're looking back at some of the best years in meet history. Check back every day for a new moment and register to make your mark on history here!
Stephanie Smith would go on to compete for the University of South Carolina. She is pictured above to the far left.
Moment No. 5: Stephanie Smith vs. Shana Cox 400m Showdown
Two senior superstars from opposite ends of the country at the top of the national 400m rankings met in a quarter-mile showdown at the 2003 Golden South Invitational: Stephanie Smith of Northeast Macon Magnet School in Georgia and Shana Cox of Holy Trinity in New York.
Georgia state champion Smith clocked the fastest time in prelims, 55.27, to Cox's 55.96, as Lauren Austin of Oviedo High also ran under 56 seconds and three more competitors broke 57 seconds.
But the finals were a different story as Smith and Cox blasted by the rest of the field to set nation-leading marks of 52.14 and 52.43. Smith's winning time still stands as the Golden South meet record.
Women 400 Meter Dash
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World: 47.60 10/6/1985 Marita Koch, East Germany
American: 48.83 8/6/1984 Valerie Brisco, WCAC
National HS: 50.69 6/22/2002 Sanya Richards, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Track: # 52.14 5/31/2003 Stephanie Smith, NE Magnet HS
Meet: * 52.14 5/31/2003 Stephanie Smith, NE Magnet HS
Name Year School Finals
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Finals
1 Stephanie Smith 12 NE Magnet HS 52.14*
2 Shana Cox 12 Unattached 52.43
3 Lauren Austin 11 Oviedo HS 55.23
4 Cynetheia Rooks 12 Northampton 55.36
5 Sade Nero 11 Northwestern 56.15
6 Paige Farrell 11 Springdale HS 56.24
-- Briene Simmons 12 Unattached FS Both closed the year with top accolades: Smith, the USATF Junior Outdoor National champion with a U.S. No. 1 time of 52.04, and Cox, the adidas Outdoor National champion with the U.S. No. 4-ranked time of 52.94.
Smith became a star at South Carolina and picked up eight All-American honors for the Gamecocks, including a gold medal in the 4x400m relay.
Cox, whose parents are of British descent, earned 11 All-American honors for Penn State, including the 2008 NCAA titles in the 400m and 4x400m relay. She ran a leg on the gold medal-winning 4x400m relay for Great Britain at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships.