Tuesday 04/28/2015
CLEMSON, S.C. — Head Coach Mark Elliott and his track & field staff signed nine student-athletes to national letters of intent during the most recent signing period. Five men and four women have joined the Clemson family from the class of 2015. It adds to the six student-athletes that signed in November with Elliott’s program.
“We had a very good early signing period,” Elliott said. “The additions of this past week give us a more comfortable feeling of having a well-rounded program. We’ve added some very good athletes. All the coaches are very excited about the total signing class.”
2015 track & field signee profiles
• 2015 New Balance Indoor national champion, 4×400 relay• 2015 New Balance Indoor silver medalist, 800 (2:08.38)• 2014 New Balance Outdoor All-American, 800 (2:07.22 – No. 1 time in Michigan)• 2014 New Balance Indoor National runner-up, 2:08.92 (U.S. No. 3 time)• 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships participant (ran PR 2:06.75 in semifinals)
Elliott’s take: “Ersula has range like Natoya (Goule). She can help on the relays, and can run the 800 and mile. When you have athletes like that, you can cover more event areas.”
• 2015 NJCAA Indoor national champion, 4×400 relay (3:11.70)• Ran personal best 50.90 to win John Jacobs Invitational; top 400 hurdles time in JUCO this outdoor season
• Attended Northeast High School in Oakland Park, Fla.; ran 51.85 (fifth-best in U.S.) at 2014 AAU Club Championships
Elliott’s take: “The thing I respect most about Deron (Gordon), he has his mind set on being a great 400 hurdler. He ran his PR, 50.9, the same week he signed with us. That can help us right now. He’ll be a big addition to the team, because we don’t currently have that event covered.”
• Primarily a cross country runner, her top effort as a senior was a time of 18:05.40 (No. 6 in Florida) in a win at the AAAA District 3 meet
• Also won the district competition as a junior in 2013
• Earned top-four finishes at the AAAA state championships from 2011-13
Elliott’s take: “Emily will add depth to our cross country team and is someone we believe will grow into a significant contributor as it relates to track.”
• 2015 NJCAA Indoor All-American, 60 hurdles (7.90)
Elliott’s take: “I never knew much about Kirk prior to the JUCO Nationals in Albuquerque. I spoke with him after the competition, and he was intrigued with Clemson. He visited and it was a quick commitment. He has an interest in being an engineer, so academics played a big role in him choosing us. We’re losing two good hurdlers, so we need to replace them.”
• 2015 New Balance Indoor Nationals emerging elite silver medalist, high jump• 2015 New Balance Indoor Nationals emerging elite bronze medalist, long jump• AAAA all-state, high jump
Elliott’s take: “We lose Shai Carpenter, so we needed someone to pair with Ishmael Kamara. Tevin was found by Coach (Chris) Bostwick, and we think he’ll get better over time and be a big part of the program down the road.”
• 2015 NJCAA Indoor silver medalist, 60 (7.39)• 2015 NJCAA Indoor All-American, 200 (24.67) • Owns bests of 11.48 in the 100, 23.75 in the 200
Elliott’s take: “Ranee comes from a junior college with a great reputation for their level. The kids that move on always seem to excel at an unbelievable level. She’s a great addition in the sprints. She’ll come in and give us another boost.”
• AAA state cross country champion, 2014• AAA state champion in 1600 meters, 2014• Finished 34th at Foot Locker South Regional in 2014 (15:35)
Elliott’s take: “Jacob is a local kid, and it’s always good to keep them home. He was looked at by other ACC schools. I think he can help us big in cross country. He’s a good miler, too.”
• Owned nation’s No. 21 overall time in 60 hurdles in 2015 indoor season (8.65), No. 18 as a junior (8.66)• 2014 AA state champion, 100 hurdles• Sister, LaTavia, won 2008 NCAA Indoor title in 800 meters under Mark Elliott at LSU
Elliott’s take: “Markeeta’s from a family of talented athletes. I’m like family to them. It’s more than just signing a great athlete; she’s someone I’ve seen grow up. Her sister did well for us at LSU, and now I have an opportunity to coach Markeeta. She can be very good from the short hurdles, 400 hurdles, to the 4×4.”
• 2015 New Balance Indoor Nationals emerging elite participant, shot put• Posted top-50 national mark in shot put (56-6.75) in VISAA state championship
Elliott’s take: “Grant is probably 6-5, nearly 280 pounds. But he has actually run 26 seconds in the 200 meters. He’s very fast for a big guy. Coach (Robert) Weir has a background of turning great athletes into throwers, and that’s our plan.”
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