Clemson’s Ameigh And Matthews Earn All-America Honors

March 8, 2002

FAYETTEVILLE, AR — The Clemson men’s track and field team finished day one of the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships ranked seventh with 10 points. Seniors Doug Ameigh and Todd Matthews both placed fourth, earning the Tigers five points each.

Ameigh, a native of Washingtonville, PA, cleared 7’2.5″ to finish fourth in the high jump. The mark was only one-half inch off his all-time best of 7’3″. Ameigh is only the third Tiger high jumper to earn indoor All-American honors. He holds the distinction of having cleared the highest mark at the NCAA Championships among all Clemson high jump indoor All-Americans.

“This is truly a dream come true,” said Ameigh. “I have always wanted to be an All-American, and now finally I am. I would like to thank my parents, coaches, teammates and everyone who believed in me. Without all of you this could never have happened.”

“I am extremely proud of Doug to complete his senior indoor season earning All-America honors with his fourth-place finish clearing 7’2.5″,” said head coach Bob Pollock. “Coach Jarrett Foster had Doug very well prepared throughout the season. It is a tremendous credit to Coach Foster in his ability to coach Doug to the highest finish Clemson has had nationally indoor in the high jump.”

A four-time All-American from Trenton, NJ, Matthews recorded his best indoor finish ever at this year’s meet. He finished fourth with a time of 7.79, tying his previous season-best time. Matthews is one of five Tiger hurdlers to earn All-American honors two or more times during their careers. In 2001, he finished fifth in the 60m hurdles to earn his first indoor All-America title.

“I’m very happy I got fourth place because I was seeded 10th (entering the NCAA Championships),” said Matthews. “When my teammates and I came here we were told that anything can happen at NCAA’s. I thank my parents, my coaches and my teammates for helping me prepare for this meet. I feel that this outdoor season will be special for our team. I believe in us.”

“Todd has worked extremely hard this indoor season, placing his highest finish ever nationally to earn his fourth All-American honor,” said Pollock. “I am very happy for Todd to end his senior indoor season on top of the hurdles. Coach Charles Foster coached Matthews very aggressively as he ran his seasonal-best at the National Championships.”

Senior Ato Modibo (Beltsville, MD) qualified for the finals of the 400m dash with a preliminary qualifying time of 46.43, a season-best. Redshirt freshman Dwight Thomas (Burtonsville, MD) will compete in the finals of the 60m dash after qualifying in the preliminaries with a season-best time of 6.64, which ranks third on Clemson’s all-time best list. Clemson’s 4x400m relay team of Jacey Harper, Thomas, Otto Spain and Modibo will also compete on Saturday.