Waller’s Weight Throw Crown Leads Tiger Track & Field at ACC Indoor Championships

Feb. 24, 2012

BOSTON – Clemson’s Brittney Waller won the weight throw Friday to highlight the second day of action at the ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center. In addition, the Tigers took nine high hurdlers to the ACC Championships this weekend, and all nine qualified for men’s and women’s finals on Friday. The Clemson women are third in the team standings after six of 17 events have been completed. The Tigers are just three points behind leader Duke, with many qualified for Saturday finals.

“For day one, we got some goals accomplished,” said Lawrence Johnson, Clemson’s Director of Track & Field. “Putting people in finals puts you in position to be successful. Tomorrow is a big day to see if we can get on that podium. Torian Ware’s performance (third place in men’s high jump) was a bit of a surprise, because many of the guys he jumped against were older than him. Hats off to that kid. He picked the right time to have the best meet of the year.”

Waller successfully defended her ACC championship in the 20-pound weight throw. The junior from J.L. Mann High School had a top toss of 66’10”, more than four feet past any of her competitors.

“Brittney went out and competed well and with a lot of poise,” Johnson said. “She was very confident and focused on winning.”

Adam Linkenauger in 2007.

In the women’s pole vault, sophomores Lauren Terstappen and Christy Gasparino both put forth scoring efforts Friday. Terstappen was fifth place with a clearance of 13’1.75″, while Gasparino tied for sixth with a jump of 12’10”.

The men’s and women’s 5000-meter runs were the only individual running finals held Friday. Kim Ruck finished fourth and just missed another all-conference honor. The senior out of Greer, SC produced a time of 16:34.18. Ty McCormack was 12th in the men’s 5K with a time of 14:34.02.

The men’s distance medley relay team was fourth Friday with a time of 9:52.22. The team was composed of Aaron Ramirez, Ryan Mangone, Chris Slate and Martin Maloney. The women’s team earned a couple of points with a seventh-place finish.

Five women qualified for Saturday’s 60 hurdles final, led by defending NCAA champ Brianna Rollins. She had a time of 8.07, best in the field Friday. Qualifying in order behind Rollins were Keni Harrison (8.25), Bridgette Owens (8.27), Monique Gracia (8.28) and Jasmine Edgerson (8.36).

Spencer Adams had the top preliminary time in the men’s high hurdles at 7.71. He will be joined in Saturday’s final by Marcus Maxey (7.89), Charlton Rolle (8.05) and Elijah Britton (8.06).

“I’ve never seen that sort of dominance in one particular event area, in any league I’ve been a part of,” Johnson said. “That’s one of our strongest areas, and we’re heavily invested in the hurdles. You better get some return, and we got that today. The next part is to have them in position to get a sweep tomorrow.”

In the 60 dash, Clemson qualified two men and three women for Saturday. Justin Murdock (6.71) and Warren Fraser (6.74) will run for the gold in the men’s final. Edgerson’s personal best (7.29) led a 1-2-3 performance in the prelims by the Tiger women, as Stormy Kendrick and Dezerea Bryant also qualified for the final.

Fraser will get an opportunity in the 200-meter dash final as well Saturday. In the women’s 200, four Tigers qualified for Saturday’s final. The fastest of the preliminary round was Bryant with a time of 23.81. Marlena Wesh, Kendrick and Edgerson will all join her Saturday in the run for the gold.

Three females qualified for the 400-meter dash final, led by defending league champion Wesh. She cruised to a time of 55.05 in her prelim, finishing ahead of teammate Nia Fluker (55.57). Harrison also advanced with a time of 55.61. In the men’s prelim, newcomer Jaron Roberson advanced to Saturday with a time of 48.93.

Slate advanced in the men’s 800 meters with a 1:50.99 prelim time. The senior out of Delaware is looking for his third consecutive all-conference honor in the event. Brianna Blanton ran the fifth-best time in women’s history for the 800 (2:11.72), but it was not enough to earn a spot in Saturday’s ultra-competitive final.

In the men’s long jump, freshman Jameel Abdul-Mateen finished fifth in his inaugural conference meet. The Georgia native hit a top leap of 23’11.5″ on his third and final attempt of the preliminary round. Jasmine Brunson was fourth in the women’s long jump, connecting on a mark of 19’8.75″.

In lone Thursday action, sophomore Whitney Fountain earned her second straight all-conference accolade in the pentathlon with a third-place finish. The Bronx, NY native produced a total of 3,584 points.

The Tigers conclude the meet on Saturday. The first scheduled events are the men’s triple jump and shot put at 11 AM.