Men’s Track & Field Program Welcomes 14 Newcomers

Sept. 27, 2006

The Clemson men’s track & field program will welcome 14 newcomers for the 2006-07 season, as announced by Head Coach Bob Pollock. The newcomers cover all phases for the Tiger track & field team and are an exciting addition to the program, according to Pollock.

“Our coaching staff is excited with the new talent we have combined with our solid nucleus of experienced upperclassmen,” Pollock said. “We want to continue our winning tradition with championship fever entering this season.”

One of the newcomers, Dan Cartica, has already gotten underway with Pollock’s cross country team. A native of Pleasant Valley, NY, Cartica was All-State in cross country and was an indoor All-American at Arlington High School. He is the lone addition in the distance events for Clemson this season.

Pollock is excited to add four sprinters this season to the Tigers’ already strong group in that area with returnees Corey Brown and Travis Padgett. Colin Abercrombie is the Houston High School record-holder in the 200m and 400m in Colorado Springs, CO. Gwantaveus Anderson, a native of Warner Robins, GA, was a Junior Olympic Champion at Warner Robins High School and brings credentials in both the 100m and 200m.

Also expected to join the squad later this season are two football freshmen, C.J. Spiller. Both have already made significant contributions to the Tigers’ top 25 football team. Both were state champions in Florida in the 100m and 200m. Ford is thought to be one of the fastest players in college football, while Spiller won the 100m dash at the prestigious Golden West meet over the summer.

In hurdles, a pair of newcomers join the squad this season in Kamal Marell and Travis Swaggard. A native of Philadelphia, PA, Marell was All-State in the 110m hurdles for William Penn Charter School. Swaggard, a transfer from Virginia Commonwealth, is expected to join returnee Andrew Porter as one of the top intermediate hurdlers on the Tiger team.

Pollock has also added a pair of middle distance performers for this year’s team. Tyrone Gayle, a native of Jacksonville, FL, was two-time team MVP at Episcopal High School. Brent Shelton earned four track & field letters and three in football at McEachern High School, where he ran with one of the state’s top 4x800m relay teams.

A pair of pole vaulters have also been added to the Tigers’ roster this season in John Oberg and Chris Spear. A native of Seaville, NJ, Oberg was a two-time state champion for Ocean City High School. Spear is the Alabama state record-holder in the indoor pole vault and helped Spain Park High School to three state championships.

In the multi-events, Pollock signed a pair of versatile athletes in Josh Fowler and Miller Moss. A native of Spartanburg, SC, Fowler was the regional triple jump champion for Dorman High School. He is joined by Moss, who was a two-time SCISA (South Carolina Independent Schools Association) MVP for Wilson Hall Academy in Sumter, SC.

Alex Padgett is Clemson’s lone addition in the throws this season. The native of Rock Hill, SC was the 2006 state champion in the shot put and holds the Fort Mill High School record in that event.

The indoor track & field season will get underway with the Clemson Opener on December 1-2, 2006.