Clemson’s Padgett Sets Personal Best, Facility Record in 55m Dash at Virginia Tech

March 3, 2007

Blacksburg, VA – The Clemson men’s track & field team wrapped up final preparations for the NCAA Indoor Championships on Saturday at the Virginia Tech Last Chance Meet at Rector Field House. Travis Padgett set the facility record in the 55m dash by winning with a time of 6.17 seconds. His performance strengthened his chances of qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the 60m dash.

Jason Bell also helped himself tremendously on Saturday. The Warner Robins, GA native set a season-best mark in the triple jump. He leaped 52’1.25″, just shy of his indoor personal best. His mark should be good enough to qualify for the NCAAs next weekend.

Padgett posted his time of 6.17 in the finals, which equates to a 6.65. It was a personal best for the native of Shelby, NC. He should have a good enough time to join teammate C.J. Spiller came across the line in fifth place at 6.31.

Adam Linkenauger cleared 6’11” and tied for first in the high jump, but it was not an NCAA qualifying effort for the senior from Fincastle, VA. He nursed an injury much of the indoor season in 2007.

Chris Spear cleared 16’6.75″ in the pole vault and finished in a tie for sixth place. In the long jump, George Fields improved on his season-best with an NCAA provisional mark of 24’9.25″. He won the ACC’s long jump crown last weekend, but his mark will be just short of what was needed to qualify for the NCAA meet.

The NCAA Championships will be held March 9-10 at Fayetteville, AR.