Clemson Qualifies Three Relays, Four Individuals for NCAA Championships on Final Day of East Preliminary Round

May 28, 2011

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BLOOMINGTON, IN – Clemson qualified three of its four relays, as well as four additional athletes in individual events, for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday at Indiana’s Robert C. Haugh Complex. Justin Murdock qualified in the men’s 200 dash, while Spencer Adams, Michaylin Golladay and Bridgette Owens all earned berths to nationals in the high hurdles.

In total, Clemson has qualified 17 athletes in individual events and three relays for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which will be held June 8-11 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, IA. Murdock led all Clemson athletes by qualifying in a total of four events, two individually and two with relay teams. April Sinkler was the only Tiger to qualify in three separate individual events.

“We were resilient this weekend,” said Lawrence Johnson, Clemson’s Director of Track & Field. “We didn’t have some of our key athletes, but the other kids were tough and took care of business. One or two athletes don’t define who we are at Clemson. It’s a total team effort every time. At the end of the day, the men’s 4×4 really put an exclamation point on the weekend. To take this many athletes to the national championship meet, despite some of our absences, says a lot about the quality of our program.”

Clemson’s final day was capped in the last event by an exciting heat in the men’s 4×400 relay. The Tigers got a solid opening leg from Murdock, who handed off to La’Mont Jackson. He and Jordan Rispress fought for positioning over the next two legs, before handing off to anchor Miller Moss. After rounding the final turn, the Sumter, SC native pushed the Tigers ahead of rival South Carolina for the third and final qualifying spot in the opening heat. Clemson’s time was a season-best 3:05.73. It marks the first NCAA appearance for Clemson in the men’s 4×4 since the 2003 season.

“The last thing I told Miller was to run with guts and heart, and to lead this group as a senior,” Johnson said. “He did exactly what he needed to do, and he showed why he’s the unquestioned leader of our men’s team. He’s going to be hard to replace, but we’re going to enjoy him for one more meet.”

The 4×100 relays took on completely different looks for the first time in 2011, but both teams met the challenge head on and advanced to the national semifinals. The men’s team of Misha Morris and Jasmine Edgerson.

Murdock qualified for the NCAA Championships in his second individual event of the weekend when he clocked a time of 21.30 and was 11th overall in the 200 quarterfinals Saturday. It will mark the first time the Tiger sprinter will compete at a national meet in the 200.

Golladay and Owens both qualified for the national semifinals in the women’s 100 hurdles. Golladay won her heat with a time of 13.03, while Owens was second in her heat at 13.08. This will be Golladay’s second straight trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the event. Edgerson (13.37) was just two spots shy of advancing to the national meet.

In the men’s 110 hurdles, Adams won the third quarterfinal to advance to Des Moines. The Charlotte, NC native will compete in the event for the second straight year at the national championship meet. He clocked a personal best 13.55, with a legal +1.7 meters per second wind reading. Adams’ time ranks No. 4 in Clemson history.

“I’m very proud of our hurdlers,” Johnson said. “In particular, Spencer was sharp this weekend and very focused.”

The women’s 4×400 relay struggled Saturday without three members of its ACC runner-up team, including injured sprinters Kendrick and Brianna Rollins. Clemson could only muster a time of 3:40.65.

Clemson’s NCAA Outdoor Championships QualifiersWarren Fraser – Men’s 100Justin Murdock – Men’s 100, 200Spencer Adams – Men’s 110 HurdlesMichaylin Golladay – Women’s 100 HurdlesBridgette Owens – Women’s 100 HurdlesSonni Austin – Women’s 400 HurdlesAlyssa Kulik – Women’s 3000 Steeplechase Fraser, Murdock, Jackson, Moss – Men’s 4×100 Relay Golladay, Gracia, Morris, Edgerson – Women’s 4×100 Relay Murdock, Jackson, Rispress, Moss – Men’s 4×400 RelayLauren Terstappen – Women’s Pole VaultApril Sinkler – Women’s High Jump, Long Jump, Triple JumpJasmine Brunson – Women’s Long JumpPatricia Mamona – Women’s Triple JumpMiller Moss – Men’s DecathlonLiane Weber – Women’s Heptathlon