Rollins establishes NCAA record, Bryant adds school marks at Tiger Challenge

Rollins

CLEMSON, S.C. — Junior Brianna Rollins established an NCAA record on Friday as she ran to a time of 7.78 to win the 60 meter hurdles at the Tiger Challenge. It was one of four school records established Friday, as Dezerea Bryant set new standards in the women’s 60 and 200 dashes, while Torian Ware took hold of the Clemson lead in the men’s high jump.

Rollins, whose previous best was 7.93 at last year’s NCAA Championships, bested the standard set by Southern Cal hurdler Ginnie Powell in 2006. Powell had the record at 7.84.

“I didn’t expect to run that fast, but the hard work I’ve been putting in is paying off,” Rollins said. “I’m trying to stay strong and be a leader for this team. I was very emotional after the race, but I have to move forward so my teammates will follow my lead. It was an awesome day, I was just so proud of everyone that came out and competed.”

Bryant rewrote the record books and the national leaderboards in two events Friday. She won the 60 meter dash after posting a time of 7.19, a school record and Clemson indoor track record as well. She beat NCAA record-holder LaKya Brookins, who ran unattached. She later raced to a time of 23.52 to shatter the indoor facility record in the 200. Her time converts to a low 23 on a banked track. Bryant’s times are the fastest in the NCAA so far this season for both events. Stormy Kendrick was runner-up in the 200 (24.29) and third in the 60 (7.38) on Friday.

Senior Brittany Pringley won the women’s 400 meter dash with a time of 56.09. Keisha Richburg (56.48) was runner-up for the Tigers.

Clemson took first in both 800 meter runs. Aaron Ramirez was solid in the men’s race, clocking a time of 1:54.30. Lisa Girard won the women’s race out of the second heat, as she had a time of 2:18.74.

Freshman Mimieux Land won the women’s high jump after clearing 5’10” on her first attempt. She is tied for second in Clemson history with Anastasia Wilson and Linda Buchholz on the school’s all-time performance list. Land also took first place in the long jump with a mark of 19’3.5”.

In the throws, Brittney Waller was the headliner with a personal best in the 20-pound event. She hit a mark of 68’3.25”, second-best in Clemson history behind Della Clark’s mark of 68’5” in 2007.