Clemson Track & Field Concludes Strong Effort at Virginia Tech Invitational

Jan. 16, 2010

BLACKSBURG, VA – The Clemson track & field teams concluded a strong weekend at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Saturday. April Sinkler won the high jump for the women’s team and was runner-up in the long jump, posting NCAA provisional qualifying marks in both events to lead Clemson’s efforts on day two at Rector Field House.

Sinkler, who won ACC championships in both events at the same facility last winter, cleared 5’10” in the high jump in fewer attempts than teammate Linda Buchholz. For Buchholz, it was a personal best and first-ever NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the event. Buchholz now ranks in a tie for second in Clemson history in the event, behind only Sinkler.

In the long jump, Sinkler had a top distance of 20’8.5″ for a strong NCAA qualifying mark. Nakeisha Wineglass, who has returned following a season-ending injury early in the 2009 season, jumped 18’8″ and placed ninth for the Tigers.

Clemson was runner-up in the women’s 4x400m relay Saturday with an NCAA provisional qualifying time, the school’s first since the 2005 indoor season. The lineup – Jordan Rispress, La’Mont Jackson, Miller Moss, and Spencer Adams. Both relays competed with three freshmen apiece.

One of the top stories of the night was in the women’s 3000m run, where sophomore Kim Ruck elevated herself into fifth place in Clemson’s record books. She had a time of 9:30.21, an NCAA provisional qualifying time, to finish runner-up in the top section Saturday. Tyler Morey was sixth in the men’s 3K, with a time of 8:35.15.

Alyssa Kulik was the top female finisher for Clemson in the 800m run. She was fifth with a time of 2:17.27. In the men’s 800m run, Jasen Turnbull came across the finish line in fourth position after running a time of 1:53.50. Turnbull moved into 10th in the Clemson record books with his time. Chris Slate was right behind in fifth (1:54.35).

Alex Padgett was runner-up in the men’s shot put, capping a good weekend for him. He recorded a toss of 55’7.5″. Also in the men’s field events, multi athlete Miller Moss was third in the long jump after easily producing a personal best effort of 23’8″.

Amy Morrison won the unseeded section of the women’s pole vault, clearing a personal best bar at 12’7.25″. Her mark was good enough to put her alone in fourth position on Clemson’s all-time indoor pole vault list. Caroline Kennedy cleared 12’0.5″ in the seeded section.

Following an off week, the Tigers will return to action at home on Jan. 29-30 for the Clemson Games.