Clemson Women’s Track And Field Adds Two To 2003 Roster

Jan. 10, 2003

The Clemson women’s track and field team has added two student-athletes to its 2003 roster. Ramera Nero and Shakirah Rutherford will compete for the Lady Tigers beginning in January 2003.

Nero, a sprinter from Annapolis, MD, set two indoor SMAC records in 2001, with times of 7.19 in the 55m and 42.99 in the 300m. She was the SMAC indoor champion in both events. Nero won the state championship in the 55m, and was named to the 2000-2001 indoor track all-extra team. She earned indoor Athlete of the Year honors in 2000-2001 and set the school record of 11.98 in the 100m. The most valuable sprinter from 1998-2001 was also named first-team all-conference after an undefeated 2000 season in the 100, 200 and 400m.

Nero was the 1998 PVA/USATF Outstanding Athlete of the Year, and competed as a member of the Pangaea track and field team in Moscow-Kazan, Russia, finishing first in the 100m (12.1) and second in the 200m (25.2). She was also a member of the 4x100m relay team that placed sixth at the 2000 USA track and field Junior Olympics, and owns a best 400m time of 56.00.

A sprinter from Willingboro, NJ, Rutherford won a National Championship as a member of St. Augustine College’s 4x400m relay team in 2002. She finished third in the 400m at the 2002 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships and helped lead the team to three NCAA Division II national titles. Rutherford earned All-America honors in the 400m outdoor in 2001 and was a member of the cross country team that won the CIAA Championship.

In high school, she won the 400m indoor and outdoor state title as a sophomore and junior. Rutherford was the state champion in the 200m and 400m hurdles outdoor as a junior, and also won the 400m state championship as a senior.