DeNeal Cotton Class: Freshman Hometown: Columbia, S.C. High School: Ridge View HS Height / Weight: 6-0 / 175 Major: Chemistry

2007-08 Indoor: Competed in the 60-meter hurdles for the Spartans at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships, breaking his own school record at the event ... Also has school's third-best time in the 400-meters and was a member of the first 1,600-meter relay team in school history.

Before USC Upstate: Lettered in track and played JV soccer at Ridge View...Finished third in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2007 4A state championships ... Region V-4A champion in the 400 meter hurdles ... All-State, All-Region, and All-Area selection ... Listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students.

Personal: Born on Jan. 15, 1989 ... Son of D'Juan Cotton and Dorinda Huggins ... Chemistry major ... Has one sibling, Devon ... Favorite song is "I Love You" by Dru Hill ... Hero growing up was Martin Luther King, Jr ... Favorite movie is Bad Boys II.