Padgett Sets School Record at Virginia Tech Qualifier

March 5, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson track & field athletes competed at Notre Dame and Virginia Tech on Saturday in last chance qualifying efforts to make the field for next week’s NCAA Indoor Championships. The Tigers did not come away with any additional automatic qualifiers, but there were some solid performances turned in by several Clemson athletes.

Alex Padgett established a Clemson record in the men’s 35-pound weight throw. The Rock Hill, SC native put it all together on Saturday at Virginia Tech’s Rector Field House, the same site he earned ACC Most Valuable Performer honors last weekend after a pair of top-five finishes in the throws. Padgett broke former teammate Zach Berg’s record on his second throw of the afternoon, a toss of 67’0.5″. It was good enough for the runner-up finish, and he will now await word as a “bubble” contender for an at-large spot in the event field at the NCAA Championships.

In other action from the Virginia Tech Qualifier, Bridgette Owens earned a third-place finish in the women’s 60 hurdles with a time of 8.27. Her season-best is 8.21, which she ran last week in the finals at the ACC Championships. Jasmine Brunson was third in the long jump with a mark of 19’9.5″, but she fouled in three attempts in the triple jump. Marcus Maxey established a personal best in the men’s high hurdles, as the sophomore clocked a time of 7.98 to finish fourth.

Notre Dame’s Alex Wilson Invitational took place Friday and Saturday in South Bend, IN. La’Mont Jackson and Jordan Rispress to place third in the 4×400 meter relay with a time of 3:11.49.

Jackson competed in the open 400 meter dash and came home with an 11th-place effort. He clocked a time of 48.15. Jasen Turnbull ran a personal best in the 800 for the Tigers, crossing the finish line 11th in that event with a time of 1:50.75. His time ranks No. 8 on Clemson’s all-time list. Nathan Hendershot also had a PR on Saturday, recording a time of 1:51.47 to place 17th.

The NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 11-12 in College Station, TX. The official declaration list will be released no later than 9:00 PM on Monday, March 7.