Padgett Named Southeast Region Track Athlete-of-the-Year

June 9, 2008

New Orleans, LA – Travis Padgett of Clemson was named Southeast Region Track Athlete-of-the-Year on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA). He is the second athlete from Clemson honored for the 2007-08 season by the coaches. Mitch Greeley was cited as the region’s indoor Field Athlete-of-the-Year in March.

The list of honors for the junior from Shelby, NC continues to grow. In April, he claimed his third consecutive ACC championship in the 100m dash. He was also fourth in the 200m dash and led the Tigers to a runner-up team finish. After the conclusion of the meet, he was named Most Valuable Track Performer. He also received this honor after the conference indoor meet in February.

Two weeks ago, Padgett won the 100m dash at the NCAA East Region Championships in Tallahassee, FL. It marked the second 100m crown in his three years with the program. He also was All-East Region in the 200m dash, where he finished third with a personal best time of 20.32 seconds. He led the Tigers to a fifth-place team showing, the program’s fifth in six years of the regional format.

He earned automatic invitations in both events to this week’s NCAA Championships, which start Wednesday in Des Moines, IA. Padgett is a five-time All-American overall, including each of the previous two seasons in the 100m dash.