Barton Leads Clemson’s Effort at Hokie Invitational on Friday
BLACKSBURG, Va. – Laurie Barton took the lead from the gun in the women’s 1k on Friday night and never looked back, as the redshirt-senior from Clemson left the competition in her wake while setting a new school record of 2:42.51 in the event. Barton’s time places her in a tie for 12th on the collegiate all-time indoor list and makes her the third-fastest woman ever from the ACC.
Clemson’s previous record for the women’s 1k was 2:43.03 set by Natoya Goule in 2015. Later that season, Goule would go on to capture the NCAA Indoor 800-meter title, setting the school record in the event by running 2:01.64.
“She [Laurie] hit her splits and she finished so strong, and to break a school record previously held by an NCAA Champion and Olympian [was special],” said Director of Track & Field Mark Elliott. “She is a pleasure to coach!”
Before Barton took the track, the Tigers collected four personal bests across the women’s and men’s mile to start the meet. Riley Coggin led the women with her season-best time of 5:00.85, while Josie Wirtz and Meredith Finley crossed the line in personal bests of 5:04.89 and 5:11.76, respectively. On the men’s side, John Ward looked sharp while making his season debut, closing his final 200 meters in sub-30 seconds to run a personal best of 4:13.86.
In the field, DJ Ledell had an impressive opening to his 2021 triple jump campaign as he leaped to a mark of 15.58 meters (51-1.5). Ledell’s mark came on his final attempt of the competition and allowed the senior to finish third overall. Ledell’s personal best in the event is 15.66 meters and currently ranks sixth on Clemson’s all-time list.
Friday’s Highlights
- Harleigh White started strong in the women’s triple jump, soaring to a mark of 12.49 meters (40-11.75). White’s opening jump was good enough to place her second overall in the event.
- The Tigers picked up a pair of personal bests in the men’s 1k, as Cole Myers and Devin Johnson crossed the line respectively in 2:32.18 and 2:33.69.
- Colby Caviness made his collegiate debut at 600 meters as he ran 1:25.31 to finish third in his heat.
- Lauren Hayes had a stellar run in the women’s 3k, breaking the 10-minute barrier for the first time in her young career as she ran 9:49.92. Kelsey Gripekoven joined Hayes in earning a PR from the race by finishing in 11:04.38.
- Jackson Leech was the first Tiger across the line in the men’s 3k, running 8:49.55 to finish fourth in his heat and sixth overall. Freshman Samuel Garringer earned a personal best by .26 seconds after running 8:52.58 this evening.
As a program, Clemson combined to register 11 personal bests and 3 season bests on Friday.
“Today was awesome from the get-go. We knew how good Riley was her freshman year and it was awesome to watch her run today,” said Elliott. “As I’ve said before, we have to keep building on our performances week to week.”
Clemson will return to Rector Field House tomorrow at noon for day two of the Hokie Invitational. At that time, Sofia De Coteau and Jessica Johnson will get the day’s action started for the Tigers by competing in the women’s high jump, while Ledell is set to return to the runway for the men’s long jump. Action on the track will begin at 1:45 p.m., with the women’s 400 meters.
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.
