Tigers Conclude Day One of Heptathlon Championships

Jan. 30, 2004

Results

CLEMSON, SC – Maurice Smith of Auburn leads the field after day one of the inaugural Clemson Heptathlon Championships held at the Tigers’ Indoor Track and Field Facility on Friday evening. Smith posted 3,206 points in the first four events, leading second-place Blake Sabo of Tennessee by 144 points (3,062). The Tigers were led by senior Ryan Hunter is sixth (2,806 points) entering the final three events, Brent Hobbs is in eighth place (2,782 points) and Ryan Koontz is 16th with 2,088 points.

Savante Stringfellow won the 60m dash in 6.92 to take the early lead, and Stephen Harris posted a time of 7.06 to finish second overall. Auburn’s Maurice Smith was the top collegiate finisher, crossing the line in 7.08. Jangy Addy, competing unattached was fourth overall with a time of 7.09. Clemson’s Rick Hill was the second collegian to cross the line (7.15) and Matt Poag of Auburn rounded out the top three college finishes with his time of 7.23. Clemson’s Hunter finished eighth in 7.28, followed by Koontz in 7.30 and Hobbs’ time of 7.39.

In the long jump, Stringfellow continued to dominate the competition, recording a leap of 25’3.5″. Blake Sabo of Tennessee was second overall and the top collegian with his mark of 23’4.75″. Smith was the second-place collegian with a jump of 22’8.5″ and Tennessee’s Kevin Yeager finished fourth overall and third in collegiate competition with a mark of 22’6.5″. Hobbs led the Tigers in the long jump with a mark of 22’5.25″, and Hunter recorded a mark of 21’6″. Hill posted a leap of 21’5.25″, while Koontz finished with a mark of 20’8.5″.

Auburn’s Smith took the lead after the third event, posting a throw of 52’0.5″ in the shot put. Keith Baker of Alabama finished second with a mark of 45’9″. Clemson’s Hill moved from seventh place to fourth place overall with his third-place throw of 45’5.75″. The Tigers’ Koontz posted a mark of 41’11.5″, Hunter had a throw of 41’9.75″ and Hobbs recorded a toss of 40’2″.

In the final event of the day, Chris Helwick of Tennessee cleared 6’5″ to win the event, while teammate Blake Sabo recorded a clearance of 6’4″. Alex Hritcu of Tennessee and Bobby Robinson of Western Carolina tied for third place with a mark of 6’2.75″. Clemson’s Hill posted a mark of 6’1.5″, while Ryan Hunter cleared 6’0.5″ and Brent Hobbs recorded a mark of 5’11.25″.

The heptathlon will resume Saturday morning at 11:00 AM with the 60m hurdles. At 12:00 PM, the pole vault will begin, and the final event of the day, the 1000m run, is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Day One Standings – Heptathlon Maurice Smith, Auburn, 3,206 pts. Blake Sabo, Tennessee, 3,062 pts.Rick Hill, Clemson, 2,941 pts. Chris Helwick, Tennessee,, 2,887 pts. Jangy Addy, Unattached, 2,824 pts. Ryan Hunter, Clemson, 2,806 pts. Alex Hritcu, Tennessee, 2,798 pts. Brent Hobbs, Clemson, 2,782 pts. Kevin Yeager, Tennessee, 2,773 pts. Keith Baker, Alabama, 2,750 pts. Russell Landy, Miami, 2,627 pts. Ned Ashley, Auburn, 2,540 pts. Bobby Robinson, Western Carolina, 2,507 pts. Dan Queen, Appalachian State, 2,430 pts. Matt Poag, Auburn, 2,170 pts. Ryan Koontz, Clemson, 2,088 pts. Ryan Fussell, Western Carolina, 1,769 pts. Stephen Harris, Unattached, 1,493 pts.