Clemson, S.C. — The Clemson track and field program will compete in its first away meet of the season on Jan. 22-23, as the team travels to Virginia Tech to compete in the Hokie Invitational. The two day meet will see the Tigers compete against seven programs, with six hailing from the ACC.
“This meet is a continuation of what we started this year back on Jan. 9. This is going to be the stiffest competition we have faced so far this season,” said Director of Track and Field Mark Elliott. “We have to focus on ourselves and hopefully our athletes can keep progressing in the direction that we want them to be at when it comes time for Championships.”
The Hokie Invitational will see a steady flow of Clemson competitors, as the Tigers have a quality list of entries throughout the meet. Laurie Barton and Andrea Foster will take to the track to make their 1k debut on Friday evening after racing the 800 meters during last weekend’s Clemson Invitational. On the men’s side, John Ward will make his highly anticipated season debut by contesting the men’s 1k. Ward’s 1k is slated to begin at 6:40 p.m., with Ward seeded in the second heat of the event.
In the field, Caroline Johnston will make her season debut in the women’s triple jump, joining Harleigh White who returns to the runway after notching a personal best of 12.74 meters in the event last weekend. DJ Ledell is scheduled to attempt his first double of the season, as the senior is scheduled to compete in both the men’s long jump and triple jump while in Blacksburg.
After opening his season with a comfortable mark of 16.88 meters in the men’s shot put, Roje Stona will lead Clemson in the event on Saturday afternoon. Stona’s joined by a surging Zico Campbell, as Campbell has thrown a personal best in each of the first two meets of the season.
“I’m excited to see what Laurie (Barton) can do in the 1k,” said Elliott. “She started the year off really well and training is continuing to go well. She’s a great student-athlete.” Elliot would later go on to add, “In the jumps group, I’m excited to see what Harleigh (White) is going to do and see if she can back up what she did last week.”
After winning her first collegiate race during the 3k at the Clemson Invitational, Josie Wirtz will be one of six Tigers toeing the line in the same event late on Friday evening. Wirtz ran a personal best of 10:00.40 in last weekend’s 3k to secure the comfortable victory.
For all of the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson’s track and field program, be sure to reference clemsontigers.com and follow @ClemsonTrackXC on Twitter.
