Second-year student Josh McAdams was invited to address the Memphis Rotary Club earlier this week. A nationally recognized track and field athlete who competes in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, Josh shared some of his experiences as an Olympic athlete and optometry student with the Rotarians in the audience.
A BYU graduate, he won the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the 2006 NCAA National Championships with his then personal best time of 8:34.10. In 2007, he was accepted to attend SCO but chose to delay his start in optometry school in order to train for the 2008 Summer Olympics after coming in third at the 2008 Olympic Trials for the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
In 2007, he won the Gold Medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil in 8 minutes, 30.49 seconds. He improved his personal time to 8.21.36, and ended the 2007 campaign ranked #1 in the U.S. by Track and Field News. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, he placed 9th in the opening round at the games. In June 2009, he won the USA Outdoor Steeplechase to become National champion for a second time.
For an optometry college without an athletic program, SCO is proud of this dedicated student. He possesses talent that endears him to his sport and to his peers. The college is proud to call him a member of the SCO family.