Jones, Barton Run Into Record Book at FSU Relays
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Clemson track and field program produced two top-10 all-time marks and 15 individual top-5 finishes during the final day of competition at the FSU Relays. Clemson’s women’s 4×100-meter relay won the event in 44.50 seconds, while both men’s and women’s 4x400m relays earned runner-up finishes to conclude the meet.
“It all started off yesterday with PR’s across the board by our throwers. For the second meet of the year, our athletes knew why they were here and competed well,” remarked Mark Elliott, Clemson’s Director of Track and Field. “A lot of our athletes got PR’s, and when you get personal bests, you can’t ask for anything more! It was a great day today and a good trip overall for us.”
In the men’s 800m, Kameron Jones contested the event for the first time as a Tigers, registering the No. 4 mark in program history by running 1:47.49 this afternoon. Jones arrived in Clemson following four years at Maryland, and while competing unattached during the 2021 indoor season, the native of San Diego, Calif., ran 1:46.23 at the final American Track League meet.
Laurie Barton raced the 1,500m for the first time as a Tiger and became the fourth-fastest performer in program history thanks to her 4:18.56 performance on Friday. Barton’s previous best for the event was 4:26.47 and was set during her time with Virginia Tech. Friday’s race saw Barton finish second overall after crossing the line closely behind Natoya Goule.
“That was a really good performance for Kameron,” added Elliott. “Yes, he ran 1:46 indoors, but as we know how it is dealing with the weather and wind, it was a very good start for his first 800m. For Laurie, it was her PR and it was a good way to start for our mid-distance group.”
Roje Stona started the day off strong for Clemson by capturing a convincing victory in the men’s discus competition thanks to his toss of 60.87m (199 feet, 8 inches). Stona’s margin of victory on Friday was nearly 10 feet, as the second-place finisher had a best mark of 57.90m. This morning’s competition saw Stona eclipse the 58-meter mark on three of his six throws. Zico Campbell joined Stona in today’s competition, going 48.11m (157-10) to earn a sizable personal best and finish eighth overall.
Rebekah Smith produced a spectacular showing in the opening heat of the women’s 100m, running a wind-aided time of 11.28 (2.9 meters/second) to finish second overall. Smith currently occupies the No. 2 position on Clemson’s all-time list thanks to her personal best of 11.22 set in 2018. At last weekend’s Tiger Track Classic, Smith opened her campaign in the event by running 11.63. During today’s competition, Zeniyah Lawrence (11.82) and Sidney Marshall (11.98) joined Smith in lowering their respective season bests for the event.
Marcus Parker finished third in the men’s 100m following his wind-aided time of 10.19 (3.6 m/s) during the event’s first preliminary heat. Today’s performance is just the second time in Parker’s career that he ran faster than 10.20 for the event, with the first occurrence coming at the 2018 Texas Relays when Parker ran a wind-aided 10.17 (3.6 m/s).
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Sidney Marshall earned a runner-up finish after crossing the line in 13.48 during the opening heat. Marshall’s time in Tallahassee was her fastest result while representing Clemson and serves as the second-fastest time of her career. Marshall’s personal best is currently 13.47. Antoinette van der Merwe contested the event for the first time as a Tiger, running 14.14 to finish eighth overall.
Lafranz Campbell was the fastest Tiger in the men’s 110m hurdles this morning, running 13.93 to record his first sub-14 performance of the season. Campbell, who finished third overall in the event, was joined by Giano Roberts amongst the event’s top-five finishers after Roberts ran 14.13. Roberts, a 2021 second-team All-American in the 60m hurdles, made his outdoor debut for Clemson this weekend.
The men’s quarter-mile was highlighted by Terryon Conwell setting a personal best in the event after crossing the line in 46.38. Conwell was joined by Keco Morrison (48.92) and Ethan Binnix (49.46) in the event on Friday.
In the women’s 400m, Courtney Williams was the first Tiger across the line, running 55.74 to finish seventh overall. Williams finished just ahead of her freshman teammate Ken’Naria Gadson, as Gadson recorded a mark of 56.35.
Luke Pauldine continued his impressive start to the season in the men’s javelin, as the freshman from Charleston, S.C., threw a personal best of 59.87m (196-5) during the fourth round of competition on Friday. Pauldine’s previous best was 56.54m (185-6) and came during his time at Wondo HS.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, Nicolee Foster was Clemson’s top performer after crossing the line in 59.93. Kori Carter ran 1:00.62 to finish fifth overall in the event. In the men’s 400mH, Jevon Williams ran 54.50 during his collegiate debut at the event.
The women’s 800m saw Leah Disher shine, as the outdoor freshman ran 2:09.78 to cross the line in second place. Disher earned the runner-up result after splitting 1:05.90 over the final 400 meters of the race. Disher was joined in the event by Kamryn McIntosh, as McIntosh crossed the line in the fourth position after running 2:10.09.
Danielle Sloley led the Tigers’ efforts in the women’s discus, earning a personal best of 42.31m (138-9) on her final attempt. Sloley’s previous best, 41.92m (137-6) was set during her prep career at Immaculate Conception HS in Kingston, Jamaica.
The Tigers’ distance crew will look to keep the program’s success going this evening during the second day of competition at the Raleigh Relays. Clemson will have athletes entered in the women’s 1,500m, women’s 5,000m, and men’s 10,000m this evening.
For all of the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson’s Track & Field program, be sure to reference clemsontigers.com and follow @ClemsonTrackXC on Twitter.
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Photo courtesy of Kate Cote, Clemson Athletics.
