Travis Padgett facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | December 13, 1986 Shelby, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Running |
| Event(s) | 100 metres, 200 metres |
| College team | Clemson University |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 100m: 9.89 s (Eugene 2008) 200m: 20.32 s (Tallahassee 2008) |
Travis Padgett (born December 13, 1986) is an American track and field athlete. He is a sprinter, which means he runs very fast over short distances. Travis has competed for the United States in races around the world.
He was a top athlete at Clemson University, where he won national awards and championships for his sprinting.
Racing for the Olympics
In 2008, Travis competed in the US Olympic Trials. This event helps decide which athletes will represent the United States at the Olympic Games.
Breaking Records
During the qualifying races, Travis ran the 100 meters in 9.89 seconds. This was a new NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) record for college athletes. This amazing time made him one of the top 20 fastest 100-meter runners in the world at that time. He was also one of the top 10 fastest American athletes.
Olympic Dream
In the final race of the Olympic Trials, Travis ran even faster, finishing in 9.85 seconds. However, this time was "wind assisted," meaning a strong wind helped him run faster. Because of this, the time could not count as an official record. He finished fourth in the race, which meant he did not qualify for the 100-meter event at the Olympics.
Even though he didn't qualify for the 100-meter race, Travis still represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He was part of the 4x100 metres relay team. His teammates were Rodney Martin, Darvis Patton, and Tyson Gay. Sadly, in their qualifying race, the team made a mistake during the baton exchange and could not finish. This meant they were out of the competition.
Turning Professional
At the start of 2009, Travis decided to become a professional athlete. This means he started training and competing full-time, no longer as a college athlete.
Fastest Times
Here are Travis Padgett's personal best times in his main events:
| Event | Time | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 meters | 6.56 seconds | Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States | March 10, 2007 |
| 100 meters | 9.89 seconds | Eugene, Oregon, United States | June 26, 2008 |
| 200 meters | 20.32 seconds | Tallahassee, Florida, United States | May 31, 2008 |
