Upstate Track Era Underway at Clemson
11/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Nov. 30, 2007
CLEMSON, S.C. - USC Upstate began a new era Friday evening with the track team competing in its first meet at the Clemson Opener. Upstate competed in several events on the opening day of the meet including the pole vault, weight throw, long jump and 60 meter dash qualifying races.
"I was very impressed with both our men and women," Upstate track head coach Jimmy Stephens said. "I thought all of our performers did well."
Upstate was led in its first track meet by freshman Justin Crawford, who finished third in the first flight of the men's pole vault with a vault of 14'1.25" and was the highest finisher of the first day for the Spartans.
"(Justin) was amazing. My goal for him was just to get some good experience because he hasn't jumped in six months and what he did was awesome," Stephens said.
Sophomore Billeto McGee just missed out on qualifying for the finals of the 60 meter dash, but did impress with a time of 7.21 seconds, just .16 from the final qualifying mark.
"(Billeto) had a good run. He had a little bit of a bad start and we've just been doing some base training to start with," Stephens said.
Freshman Melissa Billups was one of the top performers for the women's team and just missed qualifying for the finals of the women's long jump with a jump of 14'4.50".
Upstate will resume competition at the Clemson Opener on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.
