Jan. 30, 2009
CLEMSON, S.C. – KeKe Clark finished third with a provisional mark of 3,750 points in the pentathlon to lead South Carolina’s multi-event athletes after opening day competition at the JRF Multi-Event Challenge held at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex.
Clarke placed third in the completed pentathlon with a highlight of finishing first in the 60m hurdles at 8.49 seconds. The redshirt junior also took second in shot put at 11.45m (37-06.75). She took fourth in the high jump at 1.66m, fifth in the 800-meter run at 2:33.48 and sixth in the long jump (5.29m).
“I’m proud of her efforts today to leave this meet with a provisional mark,” South Carolina Associate Head Coach Delethea Quarles said. “She returned to some of the marks in individual events that we’re looking for her to hit to qualify for the national meet, such as getting back to 38 feet in the shot put and her hurdle and high jump marks. I feel she’ll put these things in place next time. It’s promising for her to work her way to a spot at the NCAA Championships.”
On the men’s side, Curt McGill is in third with 2,950 points after four of seventh events in the heptathlon. Eddie Stoudemire (2,853 points) sits in fifth and Scott Pierce (2,677 points) is in eighth as they prepare for day two to be held Saturday. McGill won the shot put with a toss of 14.27m (46-10). Stoudemire took a second place finish in the 60m dash at 6.99.
“The men had a very solid day across the board,” Quarles said. “It still will be difficult to hit a provisional standard, but we can at least leave this meet with a lot of improvement and look to be contenders at the SEC level. I’m looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.”
The second day of competition will begin at 11 a.m. with the 60m hurdles, which will be followed by the pole vault and 1000m run. Gamecock pole vaulters will also compete Saturday beginning with the men’s pole vault at 2 p.m.
