Clemson Finishes Strong In Tiger Paw Invitational

CLEMSON, S.C. – After an impressive opener, the Tigers concluded the Tiger Paw Invitational with a bang on Saturday afternoon in the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex. The Tigers battled with nine nationally ranked programs to register seven times worthy of the program record book, six of which came in the 800 meter run. The overall performances in the Tiger Paw Invitational did not disappointment as eight facility records fell and of those eight, 24 student-athletes finished with times better than the previous record.

John Lewis’ performance was perhaps the most impressive of Clemson’s efforts given he returned to the track just two weeks ago after suffering an injury in the offseason. The sophomore ran the second fastest time in program history and now ranks 14th in the nation with his second place 800m time of 1:48.41.

Terrell Jackson was just behind Lewis with a new freshman record in the event, clocking in at 1:48.50 to rank third in Clemson history and 15th in the nation. Mpho Makofane finished fifth with a time of 1:48.83. Each of the three times were better than the previous facility record in the event. However, Texas A&M’s Devin Dixon claimed the record with his first place time of 1:47.85.

The women’s 800m featured four Tigers who rewrote the Clemson history as Ersula Farrow, Grace Barnett, Lakeisha Warner and Imani McGowan all ran personal bests worthy of the record book. Farrow clocked in at 2:05.01 to take second place in the event. Her time ranks her 14th in the nation and third all-time. Barnett finished the event in 2:07.91 to take fourth and better her seventh place position on the all-time list.

Warner and McGowan also finished neck-and-neck, taking fifth and sixth place respectively. Their times of 2:09.37 and 2:09.92 place them ninth and tenth in program history. Farrow and Warner came back to assist Olivia James and Markeeta Thomas to a fifth place finish in the 4×400 meter relay with a time of 3:39.75.

Sabria Hadley bettered her position in Clemson history, advancing to fourth in the 200 meter dash with a time of 23.25. The time was good enough for second place and moves her to 12th in the country. Rebekah Smith ran well, clocking in with a personal best 23.66.

Trevious Frazier ran a personal best as well in the 200m dash with his seventh place performance and a time of 21.36. Michael Cheeks finished right behind Frazier in eighth with a time of 21.42. Cheeks, Jackson, Makofane and Jeffrey Green fought for a second place performance in the 4x400m relay. The team combined for a time of 3:08.01.

Anasterasia highlighted the effort in the field with her fifth place leap of 40-4.75 in the triple jump.

The Tigers have just one meet remaining until their championship season as Clemson will host the Tiger Tuneup as a last chance meet on Friday, February 17.