CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson Track and Field program opened its season with a bang on Friday at the Clemson Opener. The first meet of the 2023-24 campaign featured multiple Tigers eager to make an impact in their respective events, as newcomers took to the track for the first time, and returners picked up where they left off last season.
“For December meets, it helps give us a snapshot of where we are, a better look at where we are as a team,” Head Coach Mark Elliot said. “This is just the building stage so if we are getting these types of performances now, hopefully we can continue and improve like that. I think both teams performed well overall, when you have a group of a 1oo people, you are going have some that do well and some that don’t but that just means we have to keep working and coach them up so we can be ready come January.”
Most notable, Blaik Slavinski set the school record in the 1000 meter with an incredible time of 2:20.52. The time is the fastest in the 1000 meters in the world so far this year. On the women’s side, sophomore Shantae Foreman started strong in her second year in the Orange and Regalia by jumping a distance of 13.08m in the triple jump to move into eighth on Clemson’s all-time list. Pole vaulters Annie Lineberger and Kristin Hoffman also entered the top-10 list by clearing the bar at 3.85m, which ties both of them for ninth.
The men’s team also used the Clemson Opener as an opportunity to recognize and honor the team for its 2023 ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The Tigers distributed their ACC rings prior to the 4×400.
The Clemson Opener marked the first of four home meets for the Tigers this season, with seven total meets on the schedule prior to the ACC Indoor Championship Meet beginning on February 22.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Senior Cameron Rose recorded a personal best and a first-place finish in the men’s 300 meter run as he crossed the line at 32.61.
- Earning a first-place finish and recording a new personal best, Samuel Garringer finished the men’s mile in 4 minutes and 16 seconds.
- In the men’s 1000 meter run, two Tigers recorded new personal bests as Gabriel Ludwick (2:23.41) and Braden Blakley (2:33.53) finished the event in the top 15.
- In the women’s 1000 meter run, Jessica McLean secured a first-place finish for the Tigers as she completed the event in 2:53.59.
- Sophomore Alex Teufel recorded a new personal best in the men’s pole vault as he cleared 4.25m.
- In the women’s 600m, senior…