Keke Elder Finishes as the Top Collegian in 100m High Hurdles

May 14, 2000

CLEMSON, S.C. – Keke Elder was the top collegiate finisher in the 100m high hurdles and LaShonda Cutchin was the top collegiate competitor in the 400m accenting action for the Tiger women in the Orange & Purple Classic, hosted by Clemson at the Rock Norman Track Complex on Sunday. Elder finished in a time of 13.72 to grab a second-place finish behind Lesky Tashlin, who was competing for Speed Dynamics. She won the event in a time of 13.49. Cutchin was third in the 400m in a time of 53.34 and finished behind Donna Howard of Top Flight (52.51) and Michelle Burgher of the Clemson Track Club (52.53). Marcia Smith finished fifth in the race in a time of 55.38.

Nyjla Littlejohn posted a second-place finish in the 400m hurdles. She was clocked at 1:00.12 and finished behind Sedell Roberts of Life University, who turned in a time of 59.16. The Tigers claimed three of the seven places in the event with Lauren Nicholson claiming fourth place (1:03.03) and Laura Cartlidge claiming seventh (1:07.83). Nicholson’s time was a season best.

Both the Clemson relay teams – the 4x100m relay and the 4x400m relay – finished third. The 400m relay squad posted a team season best with an effort of 45.55 while the Tigers’ 1600m team crossed the tape in 3:47.84.

Sarah Ellis was the second college finisher in the pole vault. She catapulted 10-6 to finish behind Western Carolina’s Valeria Jalajas (11-11 3/4) and Charlotta Karlson, competing for Speed Dynamics (11-5 3/4).

Clemson will next compete at the Reebok Invitational at Georgia Tech May 19-20 in Atlanta, GA. It will be the last opportunity for Tiger athletes to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships May 31-June 3 at Duke University.