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Nine Tigers Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals Thursday

Nine Tigers Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals ThursdayNine Tigers Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals Thursday

TAMPA, Fla. – Nine Clemson track & field student-athletes qualified for the NCAA quarterfinals round Thursday at the NCAA East Prelims on the campus of the University of South Florida at Bulls’ USF Track & Field Stadium. Among those were Rebekah Smith, who set the No. 2 program record (11.23) in the women’s 100m, and Fellan Ferguson, who won the first round of the women’s 800m with a time of 2:03.20, which is good for No. 3 in program history and the current USF Track & Field Stadium facility record. Additionally, junior John Lewis placed first in the men’s 800m first round as he was the only competitor to run in less than 1:48.00, while also setting the facility record in the event.

Ferguson stumbled slightly after crossing the finish line on the first of two laps, but kept her balance and poise and jumped the top half of the pack entering the final turn of the race. Behind Ferguson was freshman Kamryn McIntosh, who led the pack for most of the race before Ferguson made her late push. McIntosh turned in a time of 2:04.06 to place second in the first heat and fifth overall to automatically qualify her for Friday’s quarterfinal.

Smith topped her own No. 2 record, which she then-shared with Sabria Hadley and Simone Tomlinson, now owning sole possession of the second-best time in Clemson history. The sophomore will look to make her second appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championship in as many tries, having made it last year as a member of the Tigers’ 4x100m relay team. Senior Torie Robinson concluded her career as a Tiger Thursday after missing the 100m dash quarterfinals by just one spot after placing fourth in Thursday’s fifth heat. Robinson will go down as one of the best sprinters in Clemson history. The Sicklerville, New Jersey native currently ranks tied for fifth in Clemson history in the 100m dash, fourth in the 60m dash and tied for 10th in the indoor 200m dash. Throughout her career, Robinson garnered All-ACC status on 10 occasions and was a member of the Clemson All-American 4x100m relay team in 2017.

Deron Gordon kicked off the day for the Tigers in the first event of the day, placing second in heat No. 2 of the men’s 400m hurdles. The senior turned in a time of 51.16 seconds. With his second-place finish, Gordon automatically qualified for Friday’s quarterfinals. In the women’s race, both Markeeta Thomas and Lakeisha Warner advanced to Friday’s quarterfinal. Thomas achieved her season best (57.42) to win the fourth heat with ease. In the sixth and final heat, Warner (57.94) took third place to guarantee her spot in Friday’s quarterfinal.

 

In the women’s 1500m, Grace Barnett was the first competitor to cross the finish line in Thursday’s fourth section. The senior maintained the lead for virtually the entire race to clock a time of 4:17.21. Barnett found herself tied for fourth overall with ACC rival Jessica Harris of Notre Dame, who was neck-and-neck with Barnett at this year’s ACC Outdoor Championship.

Cordell Lamb maintained his consistent performance, placing third in the fifth heat of Thursday’s 400m dash first round. The senior crossed the finish line at the 46.22 mark, which was good for 17th overall. With his third-place finish in heat No. 5, Lamb automatically secured his spot in Friday’s quarterfinal.

Clemson returns to the USF Track & Field Stadium Friday, beginning with Grant Voeks in the men’s discus at 8:45 a.m. The Tigers will get things started on the track with Kirk Lewis in the men’s 110m hurdles at noon. FloTrack.org will stream live coverage via its paid subscription service. Live results can be accessed on ClemsonTigers.com.

 

For complete coverage of the Tiger cross country/track & field team, follow @ClemsonTrackXC on Twitter and Instagram, and ‘Clemson University Track & Field’ on Facebook.

 

Thursday’s NCAA East Prelims Results

 

Men’s 400m Hurdles (First Round)
6 Heats. Advance top 3 from each heat plus next 6 times to qtr.
10. Deron Gordon, 51.16 (Q); placed second in heat No. 2

 

Women’s 400m Hurdles (First Round)
6 Heats. Advance top 3 from each heat plus next 6 times to qtr.
6. Markeeta Thomas, 57.42 (Q); season best, won heat No. 4
10. Lakeisha Warner, 57.94 (Q); placed third in heat No. 6

 

Women’s 1500m (First Round)
4 Heats. Advance top 5 from each ht. plus next 4 times to qtr.
T-4. Grace Barnett, 4:17.21 (Q); won heat No. 4

 

Women’s 100m (First Round)
6 Heats. Advance top 3 from each heat plus next 6 times to qtr.
11. Rebekah Smith, 11.23 (Q); No. 2 all-time in CU history, placed third in heat No. 4
27. Torie Robinson, 11.45; placed fourth in heat No. 5

 

Men’s 400m (First Round)
6 Heats. Advance top 3 from each heat plus next 6 times to qtr.
17. Cordell Lamb, 46.22 (Q), placed third in heat No. 5

 

Women’s 400m (First Round)
6 Heats. Advance top 3 from each heat plus next 6 times to qtr.
47. Kendra Clarke, 55.25; finished eighth in heat No. 2

 

Men’s 800m (First Round)
6 Heats. Advance top 3 from each heat plus next 6 times to qtr.
1. John Lewis, 1:47.81 (Q); facility record, placed first among all 48 competitors

 

Women’s 800m (First Round)
6 Heats. Advance top 3 from each heat plus next 6 times to qtr.
1. Fellan Ferguson, 2:03.20 (Q); No. 3 time in program history, facility record
5. Kamryn McIntosh, 2:04.06 (Q); placed second in heat No. 1 behind Ferguson

 

Men’s Long Jump (First Round)
Top-12 Advance to NCAA Championships
37. DJ Ledell, 7.21m (3.1w)