Edgerson, Sinkler Lead Tiger Track & Field Teams on Day One at Clemson Invitational

Jan. 7, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Sophomore sprinter Jasmine Edgerson won the 60m dash and set a personal best in the 60m hurdles to lead the Tiger track & field teams on Friday at the Clemson Invitational. In total, six student-athletes won events for Clemson on the first day of the indoor meet.

“We had a very productive first day of a two-day meet,” said Lawrence Johnson, Clemson’s Director of Track & Field. “We trained really hard this first week back from Christmas break, to prepare ourselves for February and March. We’ve seen that our kids have made an investment, which is a good thing.”

Edgerson won the 60m dash with a personal best time of 7.37, third-best in Clemson history for the event. She also had a third-place showing in the 60m hurdles with another lifetime best, clocking an 8.40 in the final. That time also ranks among the top 10 in school history.

Edgerson was a member of two ACC championship relays and two All-America relays last season as a freshman.

“It was a blessing to come out today and show all the hard work that I’ve put on in the offseason,” Edgerson said. “Coach Johnson and Coach (Tim) Hall (sprints coach) have been preparing us to run multiple events in the same day. Last season gave me a lot confidence not only in myself, but in my teammates.”

April Sinkler debuted in the jumps for the 2010-11 season and came away with a first-place triumph in the high jump. Clemson’s record-holder and two-time defending ACC indoor champion in the event, Sinkler cleared 5’10.5″ on Friday. She will compete Saturday in the long jump.

The women’s distance medley relay team provided a great start to the meet for the Tigers. The group of Julie DeLong, Alyssa Kulik and Kim Ruck put together a comfortable winning time of 12:04.76. Ruck ran under five minutes in her split for the 1600m leg.

Clemson had several standout performances in the hurdles, beyond Edgerson’s effort. On the men’s side, Spencer Adams clocked a 7.90 in the prelims and then finished second in the final in his first action of the season. In fact, it was only the third day he had been with the track & field team since rejoining the squad following football season. Marcus Maxey (8.10) placed third in the final.

In the women’s 60 hurdles final, Briana Johnson placed sixth. Gracia’s time ranks ninth-best in Clemson history. She is a transfer from South Carolina State.

Clemson’s women made it a clean sweep of the top three finishing spots in the 300m dash on Friday. Sophomore sensation Stormy Kendrick ran a personal best time of 38.33 to claim first place, while freshman Whitney Fountain (38.90) was runner-up and Oklahoma transfer Marlena Wesh (39.18) took third.

Miller Moss had a busy evening. The recent graduate finished fifth in the 60 hurdles final with a time of 8.23 and was third in the 500m dash with a time of 1:05.42.

Michael Kopanski won the men’s pole vault with a jump of 15’11”, holding off teammate Jeffrey Willis who cleared 14’11”. It was Kopanski’s second victory in as many meets for the Tigers as a freshman vaulter.

Danielle Curry had her first action in a Clemson uniform. Curry, who has two indoor seasons and one outdoor year of eligibility with the Tigers, was fourth in the weight throw after a mark of 55’7.75″. Her mark is good enough to rank seventh-best in school history.

Jasmine Brunson competed in the triple jump on Friday, Clemson’s lone competitor in the event. The native of Bermuda had a top jump of 38’9″ and placed fourth overall.

The teams return to action Saturday for the competition of the meet. The field events are scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM, while the first track event will be the women’s mile at 12 PM.