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Tigers Claim Hurdle Victories at Bob Pollock Invitational

Meet Central || Results (PDF)

CLEMSON, S.C. — Trishauna Hemmings proved to be the class of the field in the women’s 60-meter hurdles on Friday, registering Clemson’s third-best all-time performance with her time of 8.12 seconds during the event’s final. Hemmings’ 8.12 is the fastest time by a Tiger since Keni Harrison’s 8.13 during the 2013 ACC Indoor Championships. Entering Friday’s competition, Hemmings’ time of 8.12 ranks No. 4 in the NCAA.

Director of Track & Field Mark Elliott

“Trishauna is getting better each meet, and running 8.31 in the prelims shows that she’s learning how to run with the competition and compete when it matters in the finals. In talking with Coach Lennox [Graham], there’s still a lot more to come. She’s a consummate performer and continues to go in the right direction.”

Lafranz Campbell continued the Tigers’ success in the hurdles, as the native of St. Catherine, Jamaica, opened his season with an impressive performance of 7.85 in the men’s 60-meter hurdles. Campbell used a quick start and steady rhythm to glide over the hurdles and earn his first individual victory while at Clemson.

John Ward provided a brilliant performance in the mile to highlight the distance team’s effort on Friday, running 4:08.92 to set a personal best and finish second overall. Ward’s final 400 meters was clocked at 60.16 seconds, capped by a fantastic last 100 meters that allowed the Greenville native to register the best indoor finish of his career.

“John Ward ran 4:08 in the mile, and it was good to see! That’s why you do the sport — to see someone working hard and continue to get better,” said Elliott. “For Lafranz to get back after so many setbacks and run 7.85 coming out of the blocks… it was great to see.”

The men’s 400 meters proved to be another bright spot for the Tigers, as Jevon Williams, Rayan Holmes and Ryan McCloskey all earned sizable personal bests in the event. Williams was Clemson’s top runner, as the freshman earned a new best with his time of 48.18. Williams contested the 400 meters for the first time in his career at the Clemson Invitational earlier in the month.

Friday's Highlights

  • Marlin Young continued his excellent 2021 campaign, lowering his personal best in the 5k from 15:24.78 to 14:50.97. Friday marked Young’s first time contesting the event on an indoor track, with the sophomore being one of three men to earn a personal best during today’s event.
  • Riley Coggin was the top Tiger in the women’s mile, running 5:02.60 to finish ninth overall. Lauren Hayes and Meredith Finley recorded personal bests in the second heat of the event, respectively running 5:06.08 and 5:09.66.
  • Antoinette van der Merwe impressed in her Clemson debut, qualifying for the final of the women’s 60 meters after running 7.60 in the prelims. Van der Merwe will return to the track on Saturday to contest the women’s 200 meters. 
  • Fabian Hewitt was Clemson’s lone entry in the men’s 60 meters, with the senior running 6.82 in the event’s prelims and final. Hewitt’s time improved upon his previous season’s best of 6.84. 
  • In the women’s pole vault, Alex Svacha cleared 3.50 meters (11-5.75) on her first attempt at the height to equal her season’s best. 
  • Caroline Johnston led the Tigers in the women’s long jump, leaping to a mark of 5.72 meters (19-0) to finish fifth overall. Zeniyah Lawrence followed closely behind Johnston with her mark of 5.67 meters (18-7.25), which she registered with her opening attempt of the competition.

Up Next

Clemson will return to action on Saturday morning, with action presently slated to get underway at 9 a.m. with the 60-meter hurdles as part of the heptathlon competition. The first field event of the day will be the women’s shot put at 10:30 a.m., while action on the track will start at 11:45 with the 1k to conclude the heptathlon.

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.