Rollins? NCAA Record One of Many Clemson Standards Established Friday at Tiger Challenge

CLEMSON, SC – Brianna Rollins established an NCAA record on Friday as she ran to a time of 7.78 to win the 60-meter hurdles at the Tiger Challenge.  It was one of four school records established Friday, as Dezerea Bryant set new standards in the women’s 60 and 200 dashes, while Torian Ware took hold of the Clemson lead in the men’s high jump. Rollins, whose previous best was 7.93 at last year’s NCAA Championships, bested the standard set by Southern Cal hurdler Ginnie Powell in 2006.  Powell, who is married to Clemson Hall of Fame sprinter and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Crawford, had the record at 7.84.  “I didn’t expect to run that fast, but the hard work I’ve been putting in is paying off,” Rollins said.  “I’m trying to stay strong and be a leader for this team.  I was very emotional after the race, but I have to move forward so my teammates will follow my lead.  It was an awesome day, I was just so proud of everyone that came out and competed.” Bryant re-wrote the record books and the national leaderboards in two events Friday.  She won the 60-meter dash after posting a time of 7.19, a school record and Clemson Indoor Track record as well.  She beat NCAA record-holder LaKya Brookins, who ran unattached.  She later sizzled to a time of 23.52 to shatter the indoor facility record in the 200.  Her time converts to a low 23 on a banked track.  Bryant’s times are the fastest in the NCAA so far this season for both events.  Stormy Kendrick was runner-up in the 200 (24.29) and third in the 60 (7.38) on Friday. Ware jumped 7’5” on his third and final try.  He actually set a personal best by clearing four different bars.  The sophomore out of Crawfordville, GA was an all-conference performer in the event last indoor season as a rookie. Tevin Hester, competing in his first collegiate 60-meter dash, ran to a time of 6.68 and won the event on Friday.  His time ranks just outside the top 10 in Clemson history.  He held off teammate Reggie Lewis, a transfer from Kennesaw State, at the line (6.71).  Hester’s time is the NCAA’s current leader according to TFRRS.org. Hester was also first place in the 200 dash, posting a time of 21.81.  Lewis was just four hundredths behind.  Spencer Adams, the national leader in the men’s 60 hurdles, was guilty of a false start in his prelim.  Marcus Maxey won the event without Adams to compete against.  The senior out of Athens, GA posted a time of 7.91 to beat teammate Elijah Britton (8.04). Brittany Pringley, a senior out of Miami, FL, won the women’s 400-meter dash with a time of 56.09.  Keisha Richburg (56.48) was runner-up for the Tigers.  Citadel transfer Brunson Miller was atop the men’s standings with a time of 47.82, edging teammate La’Mont Jackson (48.08) in the first section. Clemson took first in both 800-meter runs.  Aaron Ramirez was solid in the men’s race, clocking a time of 1:54.30.  Lisa Girard won the women’s race out of the second heat, as she had a time of 2:18.74. Mimieux Land, a freshman from Albany, GA, won the women’s high jump after clearing 5’10” on her first attempt.  She is tied for second in Clemson history with Anastasia Wilson and Linda Buchholz on the school’s all-time performance list.  Land also took first place in the long jump with a mark of 19’8″. Jameel Abdul-Mateen won the men’s long jump with a mark of 23’2”.  Classmate Shai Carpenter was sixth place.  Jalen Langston, a newcomer from Douglasville, GA, was fourth place in the high jump after clearing 6’10.25”. In the throws, Brittney Waller was the headliner had a personal best in the 20-pound event.  She hit a mark of 68’3.25”, second-best in Clemson history behind Della Clark’s mark of 68’5” in 2007.  Marcus Brown captured the men’s shot put Friday.  The senior thrower hit a mark of 55’5.75” to top teammate Cory Thalheimer (54’6”).  In the weight throw, Fesser Bell hit a mark of 50’9.25” to finish second. The Tigers return to action next Saturday in Birmingham, AL as part of the Auburn Invitational.