South Carolina track stars turn pro

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A pair of track Olympians, including double-medal winner Otis Harris, have decided to give up their remaining eligibility at South Carolina to turn pro.<br> <br> Gamecocks coach Curtis Frye says Harris and Lashinda Demus each signed four-year contracts with Nike. They join hurdler Terrence Trammell, a two-time silver medalist at the Olympic 110-meter hurdles, as the only athletes to go pro early during Frye&#39;s years at South Carolina.<br> <br> ``You always hope our kids are in a position when they finish running college track that they&#39;ll have an opportunity,&#39;&#39; Frye said in The (Columbia) State.<br> <br> Harris was a silver medalist in the 400 meters and a gold-medal winner in the 1,600-meter relay. Demus reached the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles.<br> <br> Frye says both Harris and Demus are expected back in school in January to continue work on their degrees.