Upstate Set for First-Ever Track Meet At Clemson This Weekend
11/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Nov. 29, 2007
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - History will be made on Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1 as USC Upstate will be competing in its first-ever track meet when it travels to Clemson University for the Clemson Opener to begin the indoor track season with over 40 schools will be represented at the meet.
In all, 27 male and female athletes will be representing Upstate in track and field competion.
"We are very excited to get going on our track season," USC Upstate track head coach Jimmy Stephens said. "We've been preparing for a while now and we're ready to see where we are."
The first portion of the Clemson Opener will begin at 5 p.m. Friday with events featuring the men's pole vault, men's and women's distance medley, men's and women's long jump, men's and women's weight throw and the men's and women's long jump. Preliminary races for the men's and women's 60 meter dash and 60 meter hurdles will also be held.
The meet will resume on Saturday at 11 a.m. with athletes competing in the men's and women's shot put, high jump, triple jump, pole vault, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, mile run, 3000 meters and 4 x 400 meter relay as well as the finals of the 60 meter dash and 60 meter hurdles.
"This meet will be a starting point to see just where everyone is and what we need to work on so we know just how to prepare for our winter training," Upstate assistant coach Ed Schlichter said.
It will be a new experience for most of the Upstate athlete since many of them have never competed in an indoor track meet before.
"Our athletes are excited and a little nervous because it is indoors and we're really looking at this as a learning experience," Stephens said.
"We're looking forward to seeing our sprinter and jumpers and how they compete as well as our throwers. We're taking a good contingent of throwers this weekend," Schlichter said.
With this being the first season of competition for the track program, Stephens said that his teams will look to make strides from meet to meet.
"I think we have some individuals that can make an impact in the (Atlantic Sun) conference and we will look to improve as the season goes along," Stephens said. "It's a learning year, but will compete and be competive."
