Flowery Branch High graduate and University of South Carolina rising sophomore Erika Rucker earned her first international medal and hit a personal best twice in two days after taking bronze in the 400-meter dash at the 14th IAAF World Junior Championships held at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Rucker blazed to a time of 51.10 in the final round Friday night to earn bronze and set a new personal best. Prior to earning her medal in the finals, Rucker, the 2012 SEC Indoor Freshman Runner of the Year and three-time All-American, first ran what was at the time a personal best of 52.05 to run away with the top time of the semifinal.

Rucker is the first South Carolina athlete to medal at the IAAF World Junior Championships since 2008.