CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson University track & field team heads to the University of South Carolina for its Carolina Challenge meet Friday and Saturday (Feb. 1-2) at the Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex. This weekend’s meet serves as the Tigers’ first road test of the season, having competed in their home facility – the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex – in all four meets so far this season. Additionally, sophomore Logan Morris will vie for the 3000m (Elite) title at JDL’s Camel City Elite meet in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 2:05 p.m.
The Tiger are coming off a two-day meet, Clemson’s Bob Pollock Invitational, which saw a handful of standout performances, especially on the women’s side. Among those was Morris, who ran a personal best 4:43.10 to crack Clemson’s top-10 list in the mile last Friday. Morris now ranks fourth all-time in the event in program history after shedding eight seconds off her previous career best. Additionally, junior Rebekah Smith ran season bests in both the 60m dashes and 200m dashes to rank 14th and 18th, respectively, among the Division I ranks. Smith clocked 7.29 in the 60m and 23.52 to win Saturday’s 200m dash. Smith is entered in the Tigers’ 4x400m relay group for the Carolina Challenge, but will most likely serve as an alternate and take the weekend the rest up for next weekend’s Tiger Paw Invite (Feb. 15-16).
On the men’s side, Clemson will try out newcomers Fabian Hewitt and Travis Hugg, alongside returners Deonte Tolbert and John Lewis, on its 4x400m relay team this weekend. Hewitt ran the team’s second-fastest split (47.73) last weekend on Clemson’s B-Team, while Hugg, a sprinter and long jumper, split 48.35 on Clemson’s A-Team. Hewitt will also look to build on his indoor PR of 21.48 seconds in the 200m dash, which he achieved last weekend. Hewitt is set to run in Saturday’s fourth and final section, which begins at 1:50 p.m. Additionally, newcomer LaFranz Campbell, Clemson’s top hurdler, is entered in both the 60m dash and 60m hurdles Friday. Campbell is seeking to top his 60mH PR of 7.85 seconds, which is currently stands at No. 20 in the NCAA this season.
Host: South CarolinaDate: Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2019Location: Columbia, S.C.Venue: Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex
Admission to the Carolina Challenge is free on Thursday. Admission on Friday and Saturday is $5 for adults and $3 for children 17 and under. University of South Carolina students receive free admission with their Carolina Card. Everyone must purchase a ticket to enter, and reentry is permissible throughout the day with an appropriate wristband.
Seating is first-come, first-served. After seats have been filled, standing room only admission is available until the building reaches capacity. Each fan is allowed to bring one folding chair, as long as it is placed in a safe and approved location that does not impede walkways.
The Athletics Clear Bag Policy will be in effect throughout the weekend. No outside food or beverage will be allowed, though a concession stand will be on-site for most of the weekend.
Free parking is available at the Heyward Street Garage, located at 1300 Heyward Street. Additional parking is available on the street-level spaces on Heyward, Marion, Whaley and Bull Streets.
A limited number of handicapped parking spaces will be available in the parking lot located next to the indoor facility, accessed off Marion Street, with the proper decal. Handicapped patrons may also drop off in the Marion Street lot, and they may also enter the facility via the ramp located on the Bull Street side of the facility.
For complete coverage of the Tiger track & field team, follow @ClemsonTrackXC on Twitter and Instagram, and ‘Clemson University Track & Field’ on Facebook.
