Photos by Kim Montuoro, Clemson Athletic Communications
CLEMSON, S.C. – Sophomore Logan Morris ran a personal best 4:43.10 to crack Clemson’s top-10 list in the women’s mile Friday at the Bob Pollock Invitational. Morris now ranks fourth all-time in the event in program history after shedding eight seconds off her previous career best. The Inman, South Carolina native placed third overall in the event at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex. Morris kicked it into gear on the final lap, achieving a split of 32.75 seconds, which was also the fastest among all competitors on the 200-meter banked track.
“It’s good see Logan sort of following in the footsteps of Grace [Barnett],” said Clemson head coach Mark Elliott. “She’s picking up where she left off from last year. That was a really good performance for her today. With that said, I can’t wait to see her run in her primary event, whether it be a 3K or a 5K. Just watching her in the mile [today], you could tell she could go even faster than that because in the middle of the race there was some jostling, which I think may have slowed her down just a little bit.”
Sprinter Rebekah Smith shined for the second straight meet in the women’s 60m dash. Smith posted back-to-back times of 7.29 seconds – her season best – in Friday’s prelims and finals. Entering today’s meet, Smith’s time of 7.29 seconds would be tied for No. 1 in the ACC.
“[Rebekah] is just so consistent. I know at championships, she always shows up. That’s what we’re trying to find out between this meet and the Tiger Paw Invite – where our people are and who’s going to be a factor in helping us towards winning a championship. So, I’m proud of the way both Logan and Rebekah ran today.”
In the cage, Veronica Fraley moved up from No. 10 to No. 9 in the shot put. Fraley saved her best throw for last, posting a mark of 14.42m (47-3.75). The freshman finished fifth overall.
On the men’s side, sophomore Deonte Tolbert turned in his season best in the open 400m. Tolbert clocked 47.91 and was the third collegiate competitor to cross the finish line.
Additionally, Chris McBride had his best outing of the 2018-19 season. The senior achieved his best leap in the long jump on his first jump of the day. McBride flew for a distance of 7.29m (23-11) before hitting the sand. McBride finished in second overall among collegiate jumpers.
The Bob Pollock Invitational resumes Saturday, Jan. 26 beginning at 9 a.m., with the 60mH section of the men’s heptathlon. Saturday’s field events kick off at 11:30 a.m., and will be followed by the first running event – the women’s 600m – at noon.
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