MIRAMAR, Fla. — Kameron Jones and Laurie Barton each produced top-10 all-time marks at Clemson during their respective 800-meter races on Saturday afternoon at the Miramar Invitational. Jones registered the third-fastest time in program history, while Barton made her outdoor debut in the event for Clemson while becoming the program’s sixth-fastest all-time performer.
In the men’s 800m, Jones ran 1:47.33 this afternoon to finish second overall behind Abe Alvarado (1:47.29). Alvarado and Jones finished clear of the pack, crossing the line nearly a second ahead of the event’s third-place finisher. Jones, who entered the day as Clemson’s No. 4 all-time performer at 800m, now overtakes the No. 3 position from Andrew Beecher, who ran 1:47.37 back in 1992.
Barton’s debut outdoors at 800m with Clemson saw her finish fourth overall in 2:04.21 behind Ajee Wilson, Natoya Goule, and Allie Wilson. Barton overtakes the No. 6 position on Clemson’s all-time list from Grace Barnett, as Barnett previously held the spot after running 2:05.89 back in 2018. Today’s race was Barton’s first collegiate outdoor 800m competition since the prelims of the event during the 2018 NCAA Div. I Outdoor Championships.
“I was really proud of them [Laurie and Kameron] for placing well in two high-caliber races,” reflected Mark Elliott, Clemson’s Director of Track and Field. “Laurie did a great job competing against professionals such as Ajee Wilson and Natoya Goule today. Kameron keeps getting better each week, and while I thought he won the race [at the end], it’s still a very good finish for him. We thought the races would be faster than they were today, but the main goal for them was to place well within their races, since that’s what we’re working on right now. I’m proud of what they did today!”
Barton was joined in her 800m race by a pair of Clemson alumnae, as Andrea Foster and Goule lined up next to Barton on the start line. Goule finished second overall in 2:00.92, while Foster finished close behind Barton in fifth place after running an outdoor personal best of 2:04.34.
The Clemson track and field program will travel to Columbia, S.C., for its next meet, as the Tigers will compete at the USC Open on April 17.
For all of the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson’s track and field program, be sure to reference clemsontigers.com and follow @ClemsonTrackXC on Twitter.
