Women’s Track & Field Successful at Solid Orange Classic

April 12, 2008

Clemson, SC – The women’s track & field team waited out a weather delay at the Solid Orange Classic, but turned out positive results Saturday at the Rock Norman Track. The start of the meet was backed up nearly an hour and a half due to lightning in the area and rainy conditions. The skies cleared late in the morning, and every event was completed as scheduled despite windy conditions in the afternoon.

Patricia Mamona captured a pair of first-place finishes on Saturday. She won the long jump with an effort of 18’5.25″. She also won the triple jump title after surpassing the regional standard with a mark of 41’10.5″. Mamona ranks second in school history in the event.

The Clemson “A” team won the 4x100m relay Saturday. Ra’Sheena Parker extended the Lady Tigers’ lead for good in the second leg. Nakeisha Wineglass and Krystal Barringer finished the job for Clemson, who posted a time of 47.58 to cruise to the win.

Polly Hardy was third place in the 100m hurdles. She posted a time of 14.16 in the final, finishing one spot ahead of Liane Weber, who recorded a season-best time of 15.26. Sierra Hill was runner-up in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:02.15.

Maggie Bernard claimed the 3000m steeplechase title Saturday with a personal best time of 11:54.40. She moved into third place on the Lady Tigers’ all-time performance list in the steeplechase with her effort. She topped her previous best time by over 20 seconds. Joanie Castagno was third in the 1500m run with a time of 4:54.84, with Jill Yandle fourth (4:55.11).

Ra’Sheena Parker posted a runner-up spot in the 100m dash. Her time in the final was 12.11, following a 12.07 in the prelims. Kristine Scott finished first in the 200m dash, posting a time of 24.87 to notch an easy win.

Candice Johnson took first in the 800m run. The junior from Duncan, SC had a time of 2:19.10, holding off Annie Bailey (2:19.96) of Western Carolina. Johnson ran third leg with the first-place 4x400m relay team as well. She teamed with Hill, Christina Mason, and Hardy to post a time of 3:55.96.

Caroline Kennedy won the pole vault with a season-best jump of 12’5.5″, just a couple inches short of the regional-qualifying standard. Kennedy cleared her first three heights on the opening attempt, but came up just short on three tries at 12’11.5″. Emily Barlage (10’6″) placed third.

The Lady Tigers took home the top five spots and six of the top seven in the long jump. April Sinkler, competing in her first meet outdoors, jumped 17’11” and was in the runner-up position. Linda Buchholz (17’10.75″) was third, followed by Wineglass (17’9.5″) and Ashley Good (17’9″) in fourth and fifth, respectively. Anastasia Wilson (5’5″) was first in the high jump, while Katie Farnan was third at 5’3″.

Rochelle Kokayko won the hammer throw with a toss of 159’9″. She saved her best for last, recording her top mark in her final throw Saturday. Allison Lake placed fourth in the shot put (37’7.75″). Catheryne Porter won the discus throw with a mark of 137’8″. She hit the mark on her fifth throw, her second in the final round.

The women’s team will return to action next weekend for the ACC Outdoor Championships, which will be held April 17-19 in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia Tech facility.