track & field @ Penn Relays today, first Clemson relay about to start

The Tigers run 40.07 to finish 3rd in heat 2 and qualify 5th overall (2nd non-automatic qualifier). USF won the heat in 39.41, which was also the fastest overall time. Once again, 9 teams qualify for the final out of 24 total in the prelims. Clemson actually changed the order from what was initially written, going Anderson, Rose, Hamm, and Kidd in that order. It's an interesting strategy, as that put the Tiger's best speed at the beginning instead of the end, but maybe that was because it was a prelim. It will be interesting to see if they keep the same order for the final. But the handoffs all looked good, so that was encouraging to see. I don't know if Clemson can take down Houston and USF in the final tomorrow, but they should at least be in a good position to have a strong finish among the top 3 or 4. But once again, another easy qualification for the Tigers, so a successful day for the men's 4 x 100 team.

DougKingsmoreCrusade

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women's DMR finishes last (11th)

Apr 26, 2024, 3:56 PM

Clemson ran 11:14.03 (splits: Gladys Chepngetich 1200: 3:20.29, Mackenzie Osher 400: 54.16, Brynne Sumner 800: 2:06.57, Silvia Jelelgo mile: 4:53.02). Winning time was 10:37.55 by Harvard. The Tigers were in 5th at the end of the 800 leg, but the competition was very tough in this event, particularly on the mile leg. Clemson looked pretty overmatched, unfortunately. Clemson really doesn't have an elite true distance runner right now. You could make the argument that Chepngetich is worthy of that distinction, and she certainly is as at the 800m. But her strength is really shorter mid-distance, once you go up to the mile or further, she's just not going to be able to hang with elite long-distance athletes. At least not this year.

She is still only a freshman, and she's already shown immense upside, so I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility that she could improve her endurance as she continues to develop in subsequent years. After all, she was an all-American in cross country this past season, finishing 24th at nationals in 19:54 over 6000m. But her best mile time right now would likely be somewhere in the high 4:30's or low 4:40's, and elite milers (like some of the ones in the DMR today) are running in the low 4:30's or 4:20's. But again, even if Gladys could eventually become an elite miler, and I don't doubt that she could, I don't want to act like I'm putting this all on her shoulders. Number one, she's still only a freshman, and has already vastly exceeded expectations. Number two, again, her best event is the 800, so it really isn't fair to also expect her to also be an elite miler anyway. Being one of the best 800 runners in the NCAA as a freshman is more than enough.

Now Silvia Jelelgo is only a freshman herself, and while she's certainly not elite right now, she's certainly an improvement over what we've had, and I think she has potential. So getting her was at least a step in the right direction, as was getting Brynne Sumner last year, though this will be her final year of eligibility if I'm not mistaken. But not having good distance runners is a glaring weakness that has certainly hurt the Tigers for years now, especially in the ACC where there are loads of good ones. But I think we are seeing some slow signs of progress in that department. Today was pretty rough, however, going up against the Ivys and the Big East schools (who also have great distance runners).

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track & field @ Penn Relays today, first Clemson relay about to start

Clemson finishes 2nd in the heat in 44.32

unfortunately, you do have to have a flotrack subscription to watch

men's 4 x 100 team about to run @ 1:55

men's 4 x 100 team qualifies

Thank you for posting all the updates!!***

women's DMR now underway

remaining Clemson relay schedule for reference:

women's DMR finishes last (11th)

Re: women's DMR finishes last (11th)

men's DMR scratched

Re: track & field @ Penn Relays today, first Clemson relay about to start

Re: track & field @ Penn Relays today, first Clemson relay about to start

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