Clemson Fires On All Cylinders In Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. – Once again head coach Mark Elliott’s mid-distance crew found a way to stand out in an overall successful day for the entire Clemson track and field program. Ersula Farrow and Brianna Blanton headlined the women’s effort while John Lewis nearly duplicated his record breaking performance two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago, Farrow registered the third fastest time in program history when she finished the 800 meter run in 2:06.38. Today, the freshman bettered the third best time in Clemson history by nearly two full seconds with her 2:04.82, placing her fifth in the race behind LSU’s Morgan Schuetz and three professionals. The time currently ranks her 17^th in the nation.

In sixth place, Blanton climbed the all-time list to fourth with her 2:06.55. The redshirt senior has now run a personal best in each of the five meets she has competed in this season. Tanisha Coppin wasn’t far behind in eighth place at 2:08.78.

Lewis’ last time out, he claimed the freshman record with a 1:48.19. Today, he was just shy of his personal best with a 1:48.66 to take third place in the 800 meter run. Zachary Riley ran a personal best in the B section of the event, completing the race in 1:53.45. In the 1,500 meter run, Cameron Thornton ran a personal best 3:50.93 to take fifth place.

Tevin Hester and Justin Johnson both thrived on the track for the men as well as Hester ran the 100 meter dash in a wind-aided 10.22 to take fourth place. Johnson finished the 110 meter hurdles in a season best 13.87 to take fifth place.

In women’s sprints, Torie Robinson, Deja Parrish, Ranee Ricketts and Taylor Williams combined for a season-best fifth place effort in the 4×100 meter relay. Parrish ran a true personal best in the 400 meter dash with a 53.15 claiming seventh place. Ricketts kicked off the day with a wind-aided 11.51 to take first place in the B section of the 100 meter dash. Later, Williams ran a wind-aided 11.45 in the 100 meter dash and a 23.53 in the 200 meter dash for a pair of all-condition bests.

Markeeta Thomas continued her breakthrough outdoor campaign as a freshman with a personal best 59.31 in the 400 meter hurdles. On the men’s side Deron Gordon took third in the 400 meter hurdles with a 52.20 while Jorel Bellafonte ran a personal best 52.23.

Mimi Land finished with a pair of season-bests in the field, kicking off the day with a 19-4 in the long jump to take second place. She later leaped 5-10.75 in the high jump to take third. Anasterasia Terrell saved her best effort for the final jump of the day, leaping a wind-aided 43-0.25 to take second place. Ishmael Kamara won the men’s triple jump with a wind-aided, season-best 50-3.5.

Next week the Tigers will compete in perhaps the most prestigious event in all of track and field as they will head to Philadelphia for the Penn Relays. The meet is set to take place from April 28 through April 30.