Trio of Sprinters Lead Clemson on Day One of Indoor Track & Field Season

Jan. 9, 2009

Clemson, SC – Jacoby Ford’s near-automatic NCAA qualifying time in the 60m dash highlighted day one of action at the season-opening Clemson Invitational on Friday. Ford, a two-sport athlete who completed football season with a touchdown reception in the Gator Bowl just eight days ago, ran a 6.64 Friday which is an NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

Ford was one of three provisional qualifiers in the event from Clemson. Trenton Guy matched his personal best with a time of 6.71, easily best in his heat and the second-best time overall. Justin Murdock, a freshman from Maryland, was third-best on the day with a provisional time of 6.73. The semifinals (2:10 PM) and finals (3:25 PM) of the 60m will be held Saturday.

George Fields was sixth place in the long jump, as the senior out of Columbia, SC posted a mark of 22’8.5″. Miller Moss was 10th in the event at 22’2.5″. Moss also competed in the 500m dash, where he was fourth overall with a time of 1:05.05. Travis Swaggard was second in that event, turning in a time of 1:03.57.

Zach Berg was runner-up in the weight throw, as he surpassed his personal best in the event with a mark of 59’4.75″. He ranks fifth on the school’s all-time performance list in the event. Stephen White, a red-shirt freshman, was fourth at 51’6.25″.

On the women’s side, April Sinkler won the long jump with an NCAA provisional qualifying mark. She had a personal best jump of 20’0.5″ Friday and held off a pair of Alabama jumpers and teammate Patricia Mamona in the finals. Mamona jumped 19’1.25″ and finished in third place. Liane Weber was fifth with a top mark of 18’6″.

Nikola Lomnicka, a native of Slovakia, won the 20-pound weight throw in her collegiate debut for Clemson. She hit a mark of 54’9.25″ in the finals to pull out the victory.

Mamona was fifth in the 60m hurdle prelims. Known best for her ability in the jumps, Mamona clocked a time of 8.66 to lead Clemson’s efforts. Michaylin Golladay (8.83) and Weber (9.07) also qualified for Saturday’s semifinals.

Kristine Scott qualified for the next round in the 60m dash after posting a time of 7.64. The Orlando junior also was runner-up in the 300m dash with a time of 39.99 seconds. Sunday Ford was third in the 5000m run, crossing the finish line with a time of 18:29.56.

Emily Barlage was runner-up in the pole vault after a clearance of 11’5.75″, which equaled her personal best in the event.

The Clemson Invitational will conclude on Saturday. The first event will be the women’s shot put at 9:00 AM. The first running event will be the women’s 60m hurdles at 12:45 PM.