Clemson Opener 
March 29, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Clemson men’s track and field team posted four regional qualifying marks at the Raleigh Relays. The Tigers qualified student-athletes in the pole vault, shot put, steeplechase and 4x100m relay while winning three events.
Itay Magidi won the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:06.13, qualifying for the regional championships. The Tigers’ 4x100m relay team also qualified for the region meet, posting a time of 40.35. Ryan Lewis qualified for the East Region Championships in the pole vault, clearing 16’0.75″. That mark was good for a second-place finish. Matt Lombardi placed fifth in the shot put, posting a personal-best mark of 53’11” to qualify for the region meet. Clemson’s 4x200m relay team was also a winner on Saturday, claiming the race in 1:23.87.
In the running events, Grafton Ifill clocked a 10.77 in the preliminaries of the event. In the 200m, Ifill placed second with a time of 21.57. Ryan Hunter led three Tigers in the 400m, finishing in 50.00. Rashad Gardner posted a time of 14.94 in the preliminaires. Michael Bolling placed ninth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 53.42, and Gardner was 14th in 53.88. The Tigers’ sprint medley relay team placed second in 3:23.27.
Ryan Hunter cleared 15’3″ in the pole vault. Derek Gilson posted an eighth-place finish in the shot put with a mark of 52’7.25″, then recorded a mark of 151’11” in the discus. Matt Lombardi also competed in the discus, placing seventh with a mark of 156’9″.
The Clemson men’s track and field team will return to action next Saturday, Apr. 5, at the Clemson Invitational.
