Pollock’s Perspective

March 13, 2000

Dear Tiger Fan:

Clemson’s Shawn Crawford broke the American record and won the national championship in the 200 meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas this past weekend (March 10th – 11th). Crawford’s winning performance of 20.26 was the third fastest time ever in the world and the fastest in the world this year! The time broke the American record of 20.32 held by Rohsaan Griffin and Kevin Little set in 1996. Crawford won his second National Indoor title of his career as he won the 200 meter title two years ago as a sophomore. Crawford, honored as the Southeast Regional Athlete-of-the-Year by the US Track and Field Coaches’ Association, currently holds the American Record, Collegiate Record, NCAA Record, the Tyson Track Center Record, and Clemson school record in the 200 meter dash. A tremendous accomplishment by an outstanding student-athlete. In the finals of the 60 meter dash, Crawford placed fourth in a time of 6.67 seconds. Crawford earned two All-American honors (60 meters and 200 meters) this weekend to add to his seven previous All-American honors, totaling nine altogether. Crawford ranks second to former Tiger All-American James Trapp on Clemson’s Top All-American honors 9 to 10, another milestone in his career.

Junior Sultan Tucker earned his second All-American honor by placing eighth in the 60 meter hurdles. Tucker’s performance of 7.82 seconds placed him in the top eight hurdlers in the country. He looks forward to the outdoor season with sights set on improving his 13.73 second best in the 110 meter hurdles and another trip to the NCAA’s. The 4 x 400 meter relay team of Charles Allen, Otto Spain, Shawn Crawford, and Jacey Harper placed 10th in a time of 3:11.52. Freshman Jacey Harper replaced All-American Ato Modibo in our 4 x 400 meter relay due to an injury sustained to Modibo in the 400 meter trials. Freshman David Collins, one of only two freshmen in the 60 meter dash, to qualify for the NCAA’s ran the semi-finals. Collins did not reach the final top eight but gained valuable experience from the NCAA’s for future development.

Our Tigers placed 10th as a team out of 62 university/college teams who scored at the NCAA Championships. As Head Coach, I am extremely proud of Shawn Crawford’s accomplishments and setting a new American record. Our team competed extremely well despite not being at full strength. As a coaching staff and team, we are pleased to finish 10th in the country but not satisfied knowing our goal is to contend for a national championship. We will continue our goal into the outdoor season with the opening of the Clemson Relays on March 17th – 18th at Rock Norman Track. We have an exciting team and hope you will follow all the Tiger action this spring!

Yours in Tiger Country,Bob Pollock Head Track & Cross Country Coach