Distance Produces Strong Showing at Raleigh Relays

Mar 26, 2021, 8:39 AM

RALEIGH, N.C. -- (release) Clemson’s distance runners combined for five personal bests Thursday night during the first day of competition at the Raleigh Relays.
Cole Myers contested the men’s 1,500 meters to start Clemson’s action, crossing the line in 3:58.18 to place 11th in his heat. Thursday’s race was the first time that Myers competed at the distance and saw him record splits of 46.96-1:03.56-1:05.00-1:02.68. Myers opened his outdoor season on Thursday after ending the 2021 indoor campaign as a finalist at 800m during the 2021 ACC Indoor Championships.

In the men’s 5,000 meters, Michael Smith and John Ward led the way for the Tigers as both athletes earned sizable lifetime bests by going sub-15 for the first time in each of their careers. Smith’s time of 14:55.68 was good enough for 16th overall in his heat, while Ward followed close behind in 14:57.43.

Jack McManus, Marlin Young and Colt Griffith joined Ward and Smith in the opening section of the event. McManus contested a race above 3,000 meters for the first time in his collegiate career Thursday evening.

The women’s 10,000 meters concluded the opening day of competition in Raleigh, as Kelsey Gripekoven and Grace Wadas each toed the line for the event. Gripekoven crossed the line in 40:45.68 during her first collegiate 10,000-meter competition.

Clemson will be back in action at the Raleigh Relays on Friday, March 26 as the heats of the women’s 1,500 meters are slated to start at 5:45 p.m.

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Crump: I'd love to see the track team do well, especially in the face of getting shut down. But, this was anything but a 'strong showing'. Myers finished 94th in the 1500. Smith and Ward were 99 and 100 in the 5000.

Clemson got smoked by Charleston Southern. I ran track for CSU, so I'd like to be proud that the Bucs can beat Clemson. But, Clemson's showing at this meet, so far, is an embarrassment... finishing dead last in the 5k. I would've faked a hammy pull and taken a DNF.

I'd like to understand why this is happening. When they announced the termination of the program, did the good runners transfer? Did Clemson send a bunch of walk-ons to this meet due to lack of scholarship runners? That seems feasible to me, and if true, I'd certainly retract my assessment of their performance. But, if these results are from our best scholarship runners, then I can understand why they'd shut it down.

Distance Produces Strong Showing at Raleigh Relays

Define "Strong"

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