Polly Hardy Leads on Day One at Pepsi Florida Relays

April 4, 2008

Gainesville, FL – The women’s track & field team completed day one at the Pepsi Florida Relays on Friday. Led by Polly Hardy’s regional-qualifying time in the 100m hurdles, nearly half the travel squad competed at the Percy Beard Track & Field Stadium on the University of Florida campus.

Hardy finished second in her section and 12th overall out of 43 competitors in the 100m high hurdles. She posted a season-best time of 13.81, another regional-qualifying time for the senior from Anderson, SC. Sierra Hill was Clemson’s lone competitor in the intermediate hurdles, and the senior from Palmetto, GA turned in a time of 1:02.05 to finish 22nd out of 42 participants.

Ra’Sheena Parker was the team’s top finisher (12.05) in the 100m dash, while Kristine Scott clocked a 12.27. In the 1500m, freshman Jenna Baker posted a solid time of 4:43.48 to finish 18th overall in the field of 37 runners. Joanie Castagno crossed the finish line with a time of 4:52.03.

Clemson’s 4x1600m relay team won the event Friday, holding off Central Florida and The Citadel for the victory. The relay group was comprised of four first-year freshmen in Baker, Stephanie Buffo, Jill Yandle, and Castagno. The 4x200m relay team of Scott, Parker, Krystal Barringer, and Nakeisha Wineglass was 20th Friday, turning in a time of 1:41.11.

The field event athletes had a solid day overall. Anastasia Wilson competed in the “A” section of the high jump and placed seventh. She matched her previous outdoor best with a clearance of 5’7″. Caroline Kennedy was 12th against a strong field in the pole vault. The Florida native had a clearance of 12’1.5″.

Two student-athletes competed in Friday’s “B” section of the high jump. Katie Farnan and Kendra Gauntlett both cleared 5’3″, finishing in a six-way tie for third place in the section.

The women’s team will conclude action Saturday at the meet.