CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson track and field program finished the second day of the Clemson Invitational with two additional top-10 marks, joining the two school records that were set on Friday inside the Indoor Track and Field Facility. Program Director Mark Elliott was pleased with the results stating:
“Friday was a great day. There were numerous national and conference marks. The depth of the program continues to show and be a strong point for our team. One standout from today’s competition would be our women’s 4×400. Hitting a time of 3:38.11 this early in the season is a very good performance for us. Collectively, we still have some things to work on, so we’ll get back to that this week in training. Overall, I’m pleased with both days of competition and for our athletes to execute and hold their own against the numerous nationally ranked teams that were present this weekend.”
Some of the meet highlights included:
- Freshman Daniel Cope entered the Clemson track scene with a bang, tossing a school record 20.99 meters in the men’s weight throw. Cope opened his prelims series with a toss of 20.34m. He set the school record in his second throw of the series, spinning twice and hurling the 16 pound implement 68 feet 10.50 inches. Cope marked two more throws at 19.59m and 19.99m, respectively. All of Cope’s legal throws would have placed him in the top four of Clemson’s All-Time list. Through last weekend’s meets, Cope’s mark of 20.99m currently ranks him fifth in the NCAA this season.
- The throwers continued to dominate the day with sophomore Marie Forbes throwing a new personal record in the women’s weight throw with a final distance of 19.75 meters. Forbes started the event with an opening throw of 19.15m and followed with 19.10m in her third throw to put her in second place heading to finals. She launched her new PR in the first throw of finals to secure her second-place finish in the event. Each of her legal throws on the day finished above her previous PR (19.00) that was set back in December of 2021. Forbes’ throw today moves her into fourth on Clemson’s All-Time list and through last weekend’s meets, puts her at No. 8 in the NCAA.
- Rojé Stona set a PR in the men’s shot put for the second straight weekend, launching the shot 18.95m and himself up to second on the Clemson’s all-time leaderboard. Stona was ACC Men’s Field Performer of the Week last week for his toss of 18.31m at the Orange and Purple Elite Meet.
Clemson returns to action for a two-day meet on Jan. 21-22 at the Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Va. For all the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson Track & Field, please visit ClemsonTigers.com and follow @ClemsonTrackXC on Twitter and Instagram.
