Tennessee junior sprinter Christian Coleman turning pro

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee sprinter Christian Coleman, who ran a 9.82 in the 100-meter dash during the semifinals at the NCAA Division I men's outdoor track and field championships earlier this month, is leaving school to compete professionally.

Coleman announced his decision in a letter posted Monday night on the Tennessee website. He wrote that deciding to become a professional athlete was not an easy decision because of all the support he has received at Tennessee.

The junior from Atlanta set the collegiate record with his 9.82, the fourth-fastest time by an American and ninth-fastest time in world history.

He doubled up this year , winning the 60 and 200 at the NCAA indoor championships before winning the 100 and 200 at the NCAA outdoor championships earlier this month.