Photos by Kim Montuoro, Clemson Athletic Communications
Photos by Jessica Jones, Clemson Athletic Communications
CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson track & field team took to the track for the first time this season on Saturday, kicking off its 2018-19 campaign at the Clemson Opener. Eleven Tigers made their official Clemson debut at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex.
Senior John Lewis stole the show after setting the nation’s No. 1 time – 4:07.40 – in the mile, an event that is more than double his natural distance of 800m. Lewis, who currently owns Clemson’s No. 10 all-time mark in the mile, placed first overall in the event. Making his Clemson introduction in the men’s 300m was sophomore Fabian Hewitt. Hewitt placed second to Clemson sophomore Deonte Tolbert, who was competing unattached. Tolbert’s winning times in the 300m and 600m are personal bests. Newcomer Anthony Hamilton, a sophomore, reached a height of 2.01m (6-7) in the men’s high jump to place second overall. In the cage, Joe Cline earned a first-place finish with a best toss of 17.87m (58-7) to crack Clemson’s top-10 list at No. 8.
On the women’s side, junior transfer and 2018 NJCAA outdoor 800m champion Andrea Foster made her Clemson debut in the women’s 600m. Foster guided Lakeisha Warner (1:35.54) and Imani McGown (1:35.74) to finishes 1-3, respectively, with a time of 1:34.22. 2018 Second Team All-American Ebony Williams shined in the 300m dash and was just shy of her PR, turning in a time of 38.72 seconds to place second overall among collegiate finishers. In the cage, redshirt-sophomore Janell Fullerton earned a second-place finish in the shot put. Fullterton achieved a best throw of 14.14m (46-4.75), which is now good for ninth all-time. Behind Fullerton in third place was freshman Veronica Fraley, who threw for 13.88m (45-6.5). In the weight throw, junior Danielle Little surpassed her career best with a distance of 17.56m, which keeps her at No. 8 in the Clemson record books.
“Well, for our first meet of the year, we saw a lot of good things,” said Clemson head coach Mark Elliott. “We didn’t run our normal events, but it’s still a good indicator of where we currently stand. John Lewis – for example – for him to come out and run a time that was close to his PR in a [mile] race that wasn’t as competitive as last year’s is a good sign. On the women’s side, everyone competed in off events, and again, we got to see where they are. Now, they have the opportunity to focus on their final exams and stay in shape over the break so that we can hit our stride when we get back from [holiday] break. Overall, I’m pretty happy. Today’s meet was had better performances than last year’s and that’s encouraging because there’s still room for improvement.”
Next: Orange & Purple Elite | Friday, Jan. 11 | Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex
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