Tiger Track & Field Teams Rated Among Nation’s Top 25

Feb. 15, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Both of Clemson’s track & field teams are among the national top 25 this week, according to computer ratings released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). It marks the fifth straight week the women’s track & field team has been listed among the national top 25, but it marks the season debut for the men’s team among the top 25.

“It is truly exciting for us to have both programs rated among the national top 25, particularly our men’s team,” said Lawrence Johnson, Clemson’s director of track & field. “This is a testament to the hard work they’ve put in the last couple of years. This should serve as motivation for our guys when they find out they’re in this week’s top 25. Hopefully, they’ll be excited to boost their status within the ACC and nationally as we head to the conference meet next week.”

The men’s team jumped 13 spots in the computer ratings to the No. 23 overall position. The main reasons behind the sizeable jump in the standings were the performances over the weekend from Spencer Adams and Justin Murdock. A sophomore from Charlotte, NC, Adams established a personal best with the fifth-best time in the nation in the 60 hurdles. He clocked a 7.73, third-best in Clemson history, in the final to earn the victory. Murdock won the 60m dash with a time of 6.65, also a personal best and No. 7 on Clemson’s all-time performance list. Murdock’s time ranks in a tie for 12th nationally according to TFRRS.

Clemson’s top individual performer this season has been Miller Moss, the NCAA leader in the heptathlon. He broke his own Clemson record with 5,903 points en route to winning the event at the JRF Combined Events Invitational on Jan. 29.

The women’s team fell to No. 15 overall this week, but Clemson remains one of the top-ranked programs within the ACC. Six individuals are ranked within the top 20 of their respective events, led by Stormy Kendrick at No. 3 overall in the 60m dash. Kendrick is also 15th on the 200m list. Brianna Rollins, who was injured last weekend at the Tiger Paw Invitational, is No. 5 nationally in the 60m hurdles. Jasmine Edgerson is also 18th on the hurdles list. In the field events, Brittney Waller is sixth in the nation in the weight throw and April Sinkler is 14th on the triple jump performance list.