Tigers Strong on Day One at ACC Outdoors

CLEMSON, S.C. — Mimi Land and Whitney Fountain both scored in the long jump to begin the women’s track & field team’s quest for a second ACC Championship in 2015 on Thursday, day one of the outdoor conference meet. Land took fifth place with a season best at Mike Long Track in Tallahassee, Fla., helping the Tigers to five points on the scoreboard through three events.

Land snuck into the final as the ninth qualifier, but improved her stock by six inches with a season-best 19-10.25 leap on her fifth attempt of the evening. Fountain jumped 19-4.25 to secure eighth place.

The Tigers qualified eight of 12 running competitors for Saturday finals, including five in the 200 dash alone. The women qualified three — Sabria Hadley, Myasia Jacobs and Deja Parrish — all with personal bests. Tevin Hester, the ACC Indoor champion in the event, ran a personal best 20.39 to push himself to sixth place in Clemson’s record books. He had the top preliminary time Thursday, and will be joined by Michael Cheeks in the final.

Grace Barnett and Aaron Ramirez gave the Tigers a berth in the 1500 final for both genders. Barnett bested her top time this season and ran 4:20.24 to qualify second overall. Ramirez made the final for the first time since 2012, when he placed fourth.

Samantha Elliott, who will compete in Friday’s high hurdles, posted a time of 59.17 in the qualifying for the 400 hurdles. She eased into Saturday’s final in the event.

The action resumes Friday, starting with the women’s pole vault — featuring Lauren Terstappen — at 5:30 p.m. The first running event is the women’s 100 hurdle prelims at 5:45. ESPN3 will carry live action, beginning at 7 p.m.

Men’s Standings (through 3 events)

1. Florida State, 26; 2. Syracuse, 18; 3. Virginia, 18; 4. Louisville, 14; 5. Virginia Tech, 10; 6. NC State, 8; 7. North Carolina and Notre Dame, 6; 9. Miami, 5; 10. Wake Forest, 3; 11. Pittsburgh, 2; 12. Georgia Tech, 1

Women’s Standings (through 3 events)

1. Miami, 19; 2. Louisville, 15; 3. Syracuse and Florida State, 14; 5. North Carolina, 11; 6. NC State, 9; 7. Notre Dame, 8; 8. Duke and Boston College, 6; 10. Clemson and Wake Forest, 5; 12. Virginia Tech, 3; 13. Virginia, 2