Six Qualify for Finals at ACC Championships Thursday

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Six Tigers qualified for finals Thursday evening at the 2018 ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the University of Miami’s Cobb Stadium. Rebekah Smith (200m), Grace Barnett (1500m), Lakeisha Warner (400mH) and Markeeta Thomas (400mH) advance to Saturday’s finals round on the women’s side, while Cordell Lamb (200m) and Deron Gordon(400mH) ensue on the men’s side.

Lamb, a senior, achieved his career-best time of 20.67 seconds to win the first heat of the men’s 200m dash prelims, also good for second overall. Lamb topped his previous best of 20.85 seconds, which he achieved at last year’s ACC Championship prelims in Atlanta, Ga. The Miami Gardens, Fla., will compete Saturday’s 200m dash finals at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, Lamb is set to race in the men’s 400m dash prelim Friday (6:40 p.m.) as well as the last championship event of the meet in the men’s 4x400m relay (8:40 p.m.).

On the women’s side, Rebekah Smith registered her season best in the 200m dash prelims. Smith was edged by Miami’s Symone Mason in the first heat by just 0.001 seconds, placing second in her heat and fifth overall. The sophomore will enter in the 100m dash prelim Friday (7 p.m.) and the 4x100m relay (5 p.m.) to kick off Saturday’s action.

Warner continued to impress for the Tigers in the women’s 400m hurdles, winning prelims with a time of 57.80 seconds. Warner and Thomas swept the third and fourth heats, respectively, to automatically qualify for finals. Thomas posted a time of 58.55 seconds, which was good for fourth overall. Warner and Thomas will look to score up to 20 points for Clemson in Saturday’s finals, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thomas is also set to enter in Friday’s 100m hurdles – the first track event of the day.

Gordon qualified for his third career ACC outdoor finals in the men’s 400m hurdles. The senior placed second in Thursday’s third heat, crossing the finish line at the 51.96 mark. The men’s 400m hurdles finals are slated for 7:10 p.m., Saturday.

Barnett led for the entire race in the third heat of the women’s 1500m, jumping out in front of the pack on the first straightaway. The senior turned in a time of 4:22.33, which was good for fourth overall. Her first-place finish in heat No. 3 automatically qualifies her for Saturday’s final (5:20 p.m.). Barnett is also slated to compete in Friday’s 800m prelim at 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers return to Cobb Stadium Friday with DJ Ledell, Anthony Butler and Ishmael Kamara resuming action at 3 p.m., in the men’s long jump. On the track, Markeeta Thomas, Lakeisha Warner and Ebony Williams will get things started in the women’s 100m hurdles prelim at 5:45 p.m. ACC Network Extra picks up coverage Friday, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

For complete coverage of the Tiger cross country/track & field team, follow @ClemsonTrackXC on Twitter and Instagram, and ‘Clemson University Track & Field’ on Facebook.

Thursday’s ACC Outdoor Championship Results

Women’s 400m Hurdles Prelims (8 advance: top 1 each heat, plus next 4 best times)

1. Lakeisha Warner, 57.80 (Q); won third heat

4. Markeeta Thomas, 58.55 (Q); won fourth heat

Men’s 400m Hurdles Prelims (8 advance: top 1 each heat, plus next 4 best times)

5. Deron Gordon, 51.96 (Q); placed second in third heat

Women’s 200m Dash Prelims (8 advance: top 1 each heat, plus next 3 best times)

5. Rebekah Smith, 23.41 (q); season best, placed second in first heat

15. Torie Robinson, 23.91

Men’s 200m Dash Prelims (8 advance: top 1 each heat, plus next 3 best times)

2. Cordell Lamb, 20.66 (Q); personal best, won first heat

17. Alex Sands, 21.41