Clemson Men’s Track And Field Adds Five To Roster

Jan. 17, 2003

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson men’s track and field team has added two student-athletes who will compete for the Tigers beginning in January, while three high school standouts will join the Tiger squad for the 2003-04 season. Itay Magidi and Nate Wilson will compete for the Tigers this season, and Nick Caramanico, Adam Linkenauger and Lydell Perry will compete for Clemson next year.

“I am excited about our early signees (Nick, Adam and Lydell) as they will certainly add quality and depth to our program. They are outstanding young men with great character who will represent Clemson University in a first-class manner,” said Head Coach Bob Pollock. “Itay and Nate will be able to contribute immediately, and add to our success as we look toward another championship season.”

Caramanico, a thrower from Mississauga, Ontario, was a member of the 2002 Ontario track and field team and won the 2002 OFSSA gold medal in the shot put. He was the silver medalist at the 2001 OFSSAA meet in the discus. Caramanico earned senior athlete of the year honors in 2001-02, after earning junior athlete of the year honors in 2000-01. He broke an 11-year old shot put record in the region of Peel in 2002, and Caramanico was a two-time track and field MVP.

A high jumper from Fincastle, Virginia, Linkenauger was the Virginia state champion in the high jump in 2002, after claiming the region and district titles. He was named the Lord Botetourt High School track MVP for 2001-02, and has earned two varsity letters in basketball and four letters in track.

A distance runner from Yavne, Israel, Magidi holds Israel’s junior record in 10 events ranging from the 1500m through the 10,000m. He won the 2002 Israeli championship in the 1500m, and was the Israeli champion in the 3000m steeplechase in 1997 and 1998. Magidi finished sixth in the 3000m steeplechase at the world junior championships in 2000, and placed eighth at the European junior championships in 1999 in the 3000m steeplechase.

Perry, a hurdler from Jonesboro, GA, was the 2002 region champion and 2001 region runner-up. He finished third in the 110m hurdles at the youth national championships and was the USATF Region 3 champion, qualifiying for the USATF nationals. Perry earned all-region honors in 2002 and was named Clayton County’s Most Valuable Performer. The Riverdale High School athlete of the year has earned two varsity letters in football, one in basketball and four in track and field.

Wilson, a decathlete from Kitchener, Ontario, was a five-time region and Grand River Collegiate Institute Most Valuable Performer (1998-2002). He was named club SISU thrower of the year, and holds school records in the javelin, discus and shot put. His personal bests include marks of 44’9″ in the 16-pound shot put, 137’9″ in the discus and 186’0″ in the javelin.