Jan. 7, 2017
CLEMSON, S.C. — Georgia Tech track and field freshmen Sam Costa and Benjamin Jean made splashes in their collegiate debuts, both placing first in their respective events for the Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets posted six top-three finishes on the day.
“I feel good about what we saw from the women today,” said women’s track and field head coach Alan Drosky. “Coming off the holiday break and with a short week of practice, I thought overall their effort was solid. Specifically, the hurdlers, Kenya Collins and Raven Stewart, raced well. Angelica Henderson and Dominique Hall both were strong in the long sprints, and teamed up with Denise Woode and Lindsey Wheeler for a nice relay. Bailey Weiland looked really good in the high jump and so did Carissa Tipler in the long jump.”
Collins, a senior hurdler for the Yellow Jackets, finished third in the women’s 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.42. Henderson finished fifth in both the 400 meter dash and 200 meter dash with time of 56.84 and 26.96 respectively.
“We had a very solid opener here at Clemson’s new facility,” said men’s track and field head coach Grover Hinsdale. “Sam Costa got the day started with a solid performance in the 5000m. I was very pleased with freshman Ben Jean who won the 500m. That was Ben’s first ever indoor competition and he handled it like a seasoned veteran.”
Costa placed first in the men’s 5000 meter run with a time of 15:13.22 to start off the track events for the Yellow Jacket men. Benjamin Jean followed up with a first-place finish in the 500 meter dash with a time of 1:03.63. Ryan Thomas and Preston Smith took second (14.69m) and third (14.40m) respectively in the men’s triple jump. William Solomon posted a third-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 7.34m.
The Yellow Jackets will be back in action on Friday, Jan. 13 and 14 when they head to Nashville, Tenn. for the Commodore Invitational.
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