Jan. 9, 2009
CLEMSON, S.C. – Junior Alphonso Jordan’s second-place finish in the long jump (first among collegiate performers) highlights day one action at the Clemson Invitational Friday in Clemson, S.C. Jordan also posted the top prelim mark in the 60 meter hurdles (8.09), while sophomore Jenae Anderson’s 7.64 was the second fastest time in the women’s 60 meter dash prelims.
Also making it through to the finals of the men’s 60 meter hurdles was senior Dave Ford, who’s 8.10 was right behind Jordan for the second-best time in the prelims. The finals will take place on Saturday.
Jordan’s leap of 23 feet, 6 ¼ inches was 13 inches off the winning mark, but the best mark among collegiate performers by exactly three inches.
Sophomore Joseph DiDia moved on to the finals of the men’s 60 meter dash with a 7.12 time in an event that saw three NCAA provisional qualifiers from the host institution.
In the men’s weight throw, junior Steve Marcelle finished fifth on the day with a hurl that went 49 feet, 3 ¾ inches.
Along with Anderson on the women’s side, freshman Melanie Akwule and sophomore Taylor Davidson each secured a spot in the finals of their respective events Friday. Akwule’s 8.91 in the women’s 60 meter hurdles was the tenth best time in the prelims and Davidson’s 7.73 was the tenth best in the prelims of the 60 meter dash.
Sophomore Megan Manning finished fifth in the women’s weight throw with a toss that went 47 feet, 11 ½ inches.
The Clemson Invitational will conclude on Saturday. The first event will be the women’s shot put at 9:00 a.m. The first running event will be the women’s 60m hurdles at 12:45 p.m.
-RamblinWreck.com-
