Rollins Breaks NCAA Record in 100 Hurdles Thursday at Outdoor Nationals

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson superstar Brianna Rollins earned her second collegiate record of the 2013 season in Thursday’s 100 hurdles semifinal round at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, OR. The Miami, FL native and red-shirt junior rolled to a time of 12.47, eclipsing Ginnie Powell’s record of 12.48 that had stood since 2006. Rollins was one of four Tigers to advance to national finals on day two, including three in the high hurdles alone.

“It means so much to me, I’m so blessed,” Rollins said. “I’m very thankful to be able to break the record and glorify God through this talent He has given me. To do it here in Eugene was amazing, the atmosphere is overwhelming with the crowd support you get.”

Rollins had come close earlier this season, running 12.54 at the Texas Relays in April with a wind reading one tenth over the legal limit of +2.0 meters per second. This time, the wind at Historic Hayward Field was just +1.2 for the third semifinal, and Rollins was able to set her second collegiate hurdles record of 2013, as she previously broke the 60 hurdles standard in January. She had to do it on her second attempt, just moments after the starter’s gun was fired, typically reserved for a false start. No competitor was disqualified, however, setting the stage for Rollins’ historic run.

“All we were told was it (false start) was charged to the field,” she said. “I’m pretty excited for the final Saturday. I was talking with Keni (Harrison) after the semifinals, and it would be a great opportunity for us to go 1-2 in the hurdles.”

Rollins will be joined in Saturday’s final by teammate Keni Harrison, who has qualified for finals in both hurdles. She will run for gold in the 400 hurdles Friday and in the 100 hurdles on Saturday. She and Rollins will also attempt to lead Clemson’s 4×100 relay to victory Saturday. Harrison ran a time of 12.97 in Thursday’s second semifinal. The two will run for gold Saturday at 6:09 PM ET, live on ESPNU.

Spencer Adams made noise of his own Thursday, as the Tiger senior sizzled to a personal best 13.24 despite a wind reading only one tenth over the legal limit for world championship standards. It broke Duane Ross’ all-conditions school record of 13.32, which had stood since 1995. Adams had the top time of all the semifinalists and will compete in his second straight outdoor national final in the 110 hurdles on Saturday. The final will be televised by ESPNU at 6:16 ET.

Dezerea Bryant qualified for her first individual event final at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, running a personal best 22.69 in the 200 dash. She and Harrison, who went 0-for-4 last year as freshmen in terms of qualifying for national finals individually, are 3-for-4 this season. Bryant will run the final of the 200 on Saturday at 5:43 ET on ESPNU.

Jameel Abdul-Mateen competed in his first NCAA Championships meet, finishing 11th in the long jump. He hit a personal best on his third jump, with a mark of 25’6″. Marcus Maxey saw his career come to a close Thursday, as the senior finished 10th in the semifinals. He ran a time of 13.75 in the third semifinal alongside Adams.

Clemson’s action Friday gets started with Lauren Terstappen competing in the women’s pole vault at 6:15 PM ET. Harrison’s 400 hurdles final will be televised live by ESPNU at 7:30 ET. Reggie Lewis will compete in the men’s 100 dash final at 8:10.