Candace Hill will make her professional debut in the 60m Dash on Saturday at the UAB Vulcan Invitational at the Birmingham Crossplex in Alabama.
The 16-year-old junior at Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Ga. is the youngest sprinter in history to turn pro; the designation came after becoming the first high school girl to break 11 seconds in the 100m with a new National High School Record time of 10.98. She is sponsored by ASICS and trains with two coaches on alternating days: Tony Carpenter of Titan Elite TC and Sayon Cooper.
She told MileSplit in December that she also plans to race the 4x400m Relay.
"We are honored that Candace and her coach picked our meet to be the site for which she will begin her professional career," UAB head coach Kurt Thomas said in a press release. "Having special athletes like Candace compete at our meet is very exciting."
The 60m dash is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. Hill's competition includes Nigerian Olympian Gloria Asumnu, who enters with a best time of 7.11. Hill has run 7.52; this meet will mark her third career indoor track meet.
