Pollock Adds Canadian Distance Standout to Men’s Track & Field Team

Jan. 9, 2008

Clemson, SC – The men’s track & field team announced the addition of mid-year enrollee Matt Hughes of Canada to its roster for the 2007-08 season. Hughes is a standout distance runner from Oshawa, Ontario, the same hometown as freshman Matt Bruce, who performed well with Bob Pollock’s cross country squad in the fall.

“We’re certainly excited to have Matt Hughes in our program,” Pollock said. “We think he’ll bring quality and depth to our distance program. He enhances our efforts in the steeplechase, which is his best event. He brings stability to our program as we pursue our goal of achieving ACC, Regional, and NCAA Championships.”

Hughes was the 2007 Canadian Junior champion in the 3000m steeplechase. He will help fill the void left by two-time All-American Itay Magidi, a senior on last year’s team, in that event. He also finished fourth in the event at the 2007 Pan American Junior Championships.

Hughes was a member of the Canadian Junior cross country team in 2007. He took home the bronze medal, which earned him a spot on the 2008 Canadian team that will compete in Scotland at the World Championships this spring. He also was third-place finisher at the NACAC (North America, Central America, and Caribbean) Cross Country Championships in 2007.