Seymour's rapid rise sees Olympics

CHAMPAIGN — Pedrya Seymour was recruited to Illinois by former track and field coach Tonja Buford-Bailey primarily for how quickly she could cover 400 meters.

That was Seymour’s race — the 400, 1,600 relay and especially the 400 hurdles.

The latter was Seymour’s primary event representing the Bahamas at junior events from 2010 to ’13, including the World Junior Championships in Barcelona in 2012.

It was also her primary event when she arrived in Champaign to run for new Illini coach Ron Garner.

And, in a way, it’s how Seymour ended up in Rio de Janeiro, representing the Bahamas in the Olympics and running the 100-meter hurdles — an event she had never competed in until April.

This April.

“It’s…